What are some ways to encourage innovation and creativity with inclusive collaboration tools?

Innovation and creativity are essential for solving complex social and environmental challenges. However, they are not always easy to foster in teams that work remotely, across cultures, or with diverse perspectives. How can you use inclusive collaboration tools to spark new ideas, engage different voices, and co-create solutions? Here are some ways to encourage innovation and creativity with inclusive collaboration tools.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 7 contributions. Learn more

1 Define the problem

Before you start brainstorming or prototyping, you need to have a clear and shared understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you gather insights from different stakeholders, conduct research, and synthesize data. For example, you can use online surveys, polls, or interviews to collect feedback from your target audience, partners, or experts. You can also use tools like mind maps, affinity diagrams, or personas to organize and visualize your findings.

Add your perspective

Sohaib Iqbal

Associate Director @ Verizon | Internal Audit | CPA, CISA, CITP, SOC Certificate
(edited)
Report contribution
It is counter productive to start without understanding what the problem/challenge is and why it occurred (root cause analysis). Sometimes, problem is truly a problem. Other times, problem is just the norm and one can come up with a more effective way of doing something than a norm. Online collaboration tools can help understand the problem/challenge or a norm better. Similar tools can be used to find a more effective way to do those things.

Like
Sumit Arora

Technology | Impact | Sustainability
Report contribution
Defining a problem is often a misunderstood step but a crucial first step. To start with the problem statement is often the outcome of various other problems which have failed a system at various levels. To start with, it is important to have a larger understanding of the issue and how it has impacted the community or the issue at hand. The second step is to deconstruct the larger problem into various smaller node, understand how they are interacting with each other and pin down the most affected areas of the system. This derives the actual problem one needs to work on.

Like

2 Generate ideas

Once you have defined the problem, you can start generating ideas for possible solutions. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you facilitate online ideation sessions, where you can invite diverse participants, use different formats, and encourage divergent thinking. For example, you can use tools like brainstorming boards, sticky notes, or sketching apps to capture and share your ideas. You can also use tools like random word generators, challenge cards, or scenarios to stimulate your creativity.

Add your perspective

3 Select and refine ideas

After you have generated a lot of ideas, you need to select and refine the most promising ones. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you evaluate and prioritize your ideas, based on criteria such as feasibility, desirability, and impact. For example, you can use tools like voting, rating, or ranking systems to get feedback from your team or stakeholders. You can also use tools like SWOT analysis, impact matrix, or assumption testing to refine and validate your ideas.

Add your perspective

Sumit Arora

Technology | Impact | Sustainability
Report contribution
Then the narrow-down process starts and the final few max 2-3 ideas which are most impactful, doable and effective have to be further developed to see what is needed for them to be successful and have the desired impact.

Like

4 Prototype and test ideas

Once you have selected and refined your ideas, you need to prototype and test them with real users. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you create and share low-fidelity prototypes, such as mockups, wireframes, or storyboards. You can also use tools like video conferencing, screen sharing, or chatbots to conduct user testing and get feedback. You can also use tools like analytics, surveys, or feedback forms to measure and improve your prototypes.

Add your perspective

Sumit Arora

Technology | Impact | Sustainability
Report contribution
Now starts trial and error. What looks cool and feasible on the paper and plans may not always pan out to be successful in practice. We need to start small and see how our solutions are impacting the community we wish to benefit.

Like

5 Collaborate and communicate

Throughout the innovation process, you need to collaborate and communicate effectively with your team and stakeholders. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you create a shared vision, align on goals and roles, and coordinate tasks and timelines. For example, you can use tools like project management platforms, calendars, or checklists to plan and track your progress. You can also use tools like messaging apps, forums, or newsletters to communicate updates, challenges, or successes.

Add your perspective

Sumit Arora

Technology | Impact | Sustainability
Report contribution
Inviting contradicting views to sharpen your solution. Also invite right people who can contribute to various aspects of the solution and this is where collaboration begins.

Like
Yeruwelle de Rouen, MS, PMP, IDI
Report contribution
Try inviting stakeholders to do a cross-department survey. I have found these surveys extremely effective for decision making. I once used this method when working across 9 different non profits to make decisions around where to donate funds.

Like

6 Learn and iterate

Finally, you need to learn from your experiences and iterate on your solutions. Inclusive collaboration tools can help you document and share your learnings, celebrate your achievements, and identify areas for improvement. For example, you can use tools like portfolios, blogs, or podcasts to showcase your work and impact. You can also use tools like retrospectives, feedback loops, or peer reviews to learn from your mistakes and successes.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Sumit Arora

Technology | Impact | Sustainability
Report contribution
Not all best skilled contributors are the best collaborators. There has to be a set frame and what each other's role is in the process. Find people who are willing to work with each other by assisting each other and having open communication.

Like

What are some ways to encourage innovation and creativity with inclusive collaboration tools?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the problem

2 Generate ideas

3 Select and refine ideas

4 Prototype and test ideas

5 Collaborate and communicate

6 Learn and iterate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Impact

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Social Impact

More relevant reading

What are some ways to encourage innovation and creativity with inclusive collaboration tools?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the problem

2 Generate ideas

3 Select and refine ideas

4 Prototype and test ideas

5 Collaborate and communicate

6 Learn and iterate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Impact

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills