innovation 5D

discover and define problems worth solving, then design, develop and do innovation that unleashes sustainable strategic value.

Corporate innovation usually fails!

Some experts say 90% of corporate innovation fails, not because organizations can't build solutions, but because they didn't discover the challenges/problems that they need to solve to succeed. 

In a world where technology solutions are abundant, competitive advantage lies in rigorously discovering and focusing on challenges and problems that create and unlock sustainable, strategic value.

AI is the answer, but what is the question?

Five steps to responsible innovation

Innovation 5D is a framework with mindsets, methods and tools to drive, scale and accelerate innovation. It can be used to create new products, services, experiences, business models, strategies, and more.

The Innovation 5D Framework

The Innovation 5D Framework is a five-step process for transforming problems into innovation. It focuses on identifying, deeply understanding and defining problems before designing the innovation solution.

5D is inspired and draws concepts, methods and tools from design thinking, lean startup, strategic management, innovation management, strategy, software design, human-AI interaction, business AI, cognitive science, behavioural science and the science of business experimentation.

Discover and Define focus on identifying, understanding and defining problems worth solving before designing innovation. 

Design, Develop and Do deep actionable insights to build, test, improve, implement, execute, manage, measure and improve innovation.

Innovation in 5 Steps

Innovation Mindsets

help innovators, innovation managers and leaders understand the risks and uncertainties in their environment and adapt to transform challenges into opportunities. Making the impossible possible,

Innovation Methods

Innovation is an art and a science. We use science where it exists and art where it is necessary. We use these methods to answer the key question "should we build it", not just "can we build it". 

Innovation Tools

There are thousands of innovation tools out there. We use the most effective and efficient tool for every innovation 5D task,

Innovation Management

Innovation is change that generates new value. Change introduces new risks and uncertainties. Innovation management is the systematic, practical process that aims to reduce the inherent risks and uncertainty of innovation to create, capture and deliver new value. We use the 5D framework as our innovation management process to identify problems worth solving and build sustainable innovative solutions. Innovation management does not typically happen in a vacuum. It happens in a cultural and strategic context. 

Innovation Culture

is a mix of shared values, beliefs, norms, choices and practices that shape the behaviour and interactions of individuals within an organisation or community. It has a significant impact on innovation by shaping how people in an organisation approach and perform their work, interact, and make decisions. 

Culture has viscosity and a motion that can retard, redirect, reverse, usurp and accelerate innovation. If you want to accelerate innovation, understand the 5D framework and use innovation mindsets to ensure your culture aligns. Psychological safety, experimentation, and rapid learning are critical ingredients of a pro-innovation culture. 

Innovation leaders design, shape and align innovation culture. Innovation leaders should aim to make innovation easy.

Innovation Strategy

drives the innovation management process. A well-designed innovation strategy can provide the energy and force to drive and guide changes in the innovation process. It can accelerate innovation by changing its momentum and/or overcoming its inertia to change.

Innovation strategy sets the goals and deploys the capabilities to reach them.

The culture of an organisation impacts how you can steer and power innovation strategy, and vice versa.  

Culture can help and/or hinder strategy. A culture with barriers and gatekeeping decision-makers can slow, stop, disrupt and undermine strategy.   

Innovation Case Studies

Human-Centred AI Innovation

Trustworthy AI that aligns with human preferences and expectations 

Experience Innovation

Mentoring Missions and Leadership Coaching


Business Model Innovation

Life Long Learning

Want to know more

The Innovation 5D Framework is free to use - just add this website URL as the source - https://5Dinnovation.org

We use the Innovation 5D Framework in the AGSM Corporate Innovation course at the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW Sydney.

If you have a question, you can email us via the form below, and we will endeavour to respond. We would love to hear how you are using the 5Ds and where they are most useful.

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