Development and implementation of a design-led innovation approach to Xinova-MDC strategic co-investments

Summary

​The Design-led thinking process ensures the needs of multiple users along the value chain are met, by focussing solutions on the needs of these end users. The Design-led approach also requires a new project partnership and governance model, (detailed in this report), and a custodian of this process in the form of an Innovation Manager, to work in conjunction with the Program Leader and Project Managers.

The new process will help prevent misspent time and energy formulating solutions that do not address the key underlying problems. Complex and multi-disciplinary problems require a full analysis of the value chain prior to the search for technical solutions, to ensure project activities are directed effectively at solving the initial challenges.

The Innovation Manager role has evolved over the past twelve months from one of only defining governance and process improvement, to one of an active project participant, where the new process can be monitored and fine-tuned using real life examples of project execution. There is a need for the partnership to continue to fund the Innovation Manager role especially at a project level to ensure that the project methodology and processes are embedded into the fabric of each project and the appropriate level of real-time fine-tuning is made. Working together with the small number of MLA staff experienced in the theory and application of design-led thinking will achieve more widespread understanding and use of the model and tools throughout MLA.