From past 20 years working around innovation in several companies, I remember stories about the environment where innovation efforts felt… chaotic.

Projects were starting left and right, often without a clear reason. Someone had an idea, and boom, it became a prioritized project. There was no shared understanding of what were the requirements of the projects and what would be a realistic schedule. And once something started, it never stopped. No checkpoints. No sanity checks. No way to say, “This isn’t happening – let’s stop.”

At the same time, people had great ideas, but no avenue to bring them forward. The result? A backlog of half-finished projects, an exhausted team, and missed opportunities to invest in the ideas with the biggest potential.

How to correct such a system?

Here’s one way for repairs:
– A clear process for new ideas, open to everyone.
– Criteria for evaluating ideas based on strategic fit, impact, and feasibility.
– A stage-gate model to manage progress and make go/no-go decisions.
– Regular portfolio reviews to ensure resources aren’t spread too thin.

It isn’t about bureaucracy, it’s about focus. Having a better system helps finish the projects that are started. And stay focused on the ones that truly matter. This same thing I’ve seen in many places over the years.

Innovation thrives when there’s clarity, structure, and room to grow.

If your team is overwhelmed by too many projects and too few results, maybe it’s time to ask: Do we have a process or just a pile of good intentions?