
The S2I2 (Strategize, Standardize, Integrate & Implement) framework and tools are designed to help an organization to build an internal innovation process, method, tools and most importantly enterprise culture. The framework is proposing 4 main phases/stages for building and establishing an enterprise internal innovation management organization. In each phase the framework proposes a set of tools, concepts and methods to structure and guide the organization throughout the different maturity levels.
The 4 different phases/stages are acting as a template and a format to group and structure the different concepts, methods, frameworks and processes related to the enterprise innovation management.
The framework is meant to cover enterprises of different size, scale and nature. The framework can be adapted for small, medium or large enterprises. Also, it covers both industrial and service based organizations. Moreover, this framework can be customized to suit different needs and requirements.
You can use the S2I2 framework as a guiding reference for the different tools and concepts discussed. It can also be used as a navigation reference for the different sections and articles we are proposing.
Strategize Phase

The Strategize phase/stage is the first phase in which we identify the enterprise status quo, innovation readiness, capability and desired enterprise objectives/goals from the overall innovation activities and processes.
To be able to strategize, we need to have a starting point. The main objective is to understand the internal and external factors impacting the enterprise. So in this phase we focus on understanding both internal and external factors, and most importantly on the enterprise internal innovation capability readiness. Then we start to identify the gaps, design the desired enterprise capability & maturity over a span ranging from 2 to 5 years, set the goals and objectives, design the KPIs, estimate the needed resources and budgets, and finally design our implementation road map.
Strategize Phase Tools
- Enterprise Innovation Audit Canvas
- Business Definition Questions
- Enterprise Innovation Maturity Canvas
- Enterprise Innovation Maturity Evaluation Grid Canvas
- Enterprise Innovation Maturity Road map Canvas
Standardize Phase

The Standardize phase/stage is the second phase which starts after strategizing and complete understanding of the current status and desired state that we need to achieve. In this phase we start to design our initiatives to achieve our objectives and goals. The S2I2 Standardize phase/stage is proposing a set of tools and concepts which the enterprise can use to be able to have a full view of the different initiatives, activities and processes needed to achieve the strategic goals.
Standardize Phase Tools
- Innovation Fostering Approach
- 4I Fostering Model
- Team Inventiveness Persona Graph
- Enterprise Innovation Initiative Interactive Canvas
- Enterprise Initiative Design Canvas
Implement Phase

In the Implement phase/stage, the framework focuses on the ideas funnel life cycle management. As ideas management and success rate is one of the main challenges for enterprise internal innovation management, the framework is dedicating this phase specially for proposing different concepts and tools to help in increasing the maturity and effectiveness of this part of the life cycle. At the end, ideas are the main element behind products and services, and our end goal is to have a superior, competitive products and services which leads to high economical impact.
This phase/stage will be evolving around the concept of the ideas life cycle management through the introduction of the ideas funnels. The ideas funnel is mainly divided into three main stages. The first stage is the Get stage, in which the main challenge is to get as much as possible competitive ideas. The second stage is the Build stage, in which our challenge is to take promising ideas through a path of product development. Such path is divided into different check points to guarantee the effectiveness and efficiency of the new product development life cycle. The third stage is the Grow stage, in which our main challenge is to successfully productize and commercialize the ideas into diffused products and services with high economical impact.
Implement Phase Tools
- Ideas Funnel Life Cycle Management
- Ideas Funnel VS Activity VS Maturity
- Ideas Funnel Life Cycle Management Canvas
Integrate Phase

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The Integrate phase/stage is a strategically important phase. In this phase we have the challenge of internal and external integration of all our process, culture and most importantly our activities and initiatives output. The main challenge of this phase is the diffusion and adoption of our internal innovation activities output. The adoption of the improvement proposals
Integrate Phase Tools
- Ideas Funnel Success Rate
- Ideas Funnel Investment & Resources
- Ideas Funnel Phases VS Innovation Organization Competencies
Integrate Phase Activities
Guarantee Open
Pipelines
In this activity, we are mainly focusing on the guarantee that the internal pipeline and gates are opened between the different enterprise organizations, functions and teams. The main challenge is to eliminate the enterprise silos. Another challenge is to guarantee the open pipeline with the external stakeholders of interest for the ideation and commercialization activities. The creation of enterprise gate keepers, who are properly empowered, trusted and having the proper skills, knowledge and professional networks, is very important for the success of such activity.
Promote Internally
and Externally
One of the main elements of success for the enterprise internal innovation programs is the continuous internal and external promotion. Internally, we need to continuously promote the innovation culture and guarantee the cultural change and fostering aspect. Also internal show stoppers and blockers removal through integrating the different enterprise functions and process through a successful cultural change and adaptation programs is one of the main elements of success. External innovation communication is another challenge as it needs to be consistent, communicating the enterprise value proposition. Differentiation and unique competency is a corner stone for the success of the overall enterprise innovation strategic objective.
User Centric Approach
& Fast Prototyping
As the end goal and objective of the overall enterprise internal innovation management is superiority through competitiveness, therefor user consideration all over the new product development life cycle is one of the most important elements of success. Also the ability of the organization to fail fast and succeed faster is one of the main challenges, not only to minimize the overall cost of innovation failure, but also to guarantee the highest possible success rate through customer engagement and involvement. Two important concepts to be implemented in this regards; the user centric approach for new product design and development, with a clear emphasis on customer involvement in each and every step. Also, fast prototyping approach is crucial for continuous learning, cost minimization and better product design through iterating many time based on customer feedback and betters needs, demands and problems/solutions proposed suitability and understanding.
Design Thinking and
Lean Startup Approach
The product design with its desired best user experience is not an easy task. Most inventors, innovators and companies claim understanding the target customer needs. The reality is different. One of the most challenging parts of the new product development and innovation pipeline management is the guarantee of understanding for the real customer needs, and demands. Following the design thinking framework and lean startup approach is not the only solution and those frameworks are not magic but following them minimizes the risk factor and guarantees a structured manner and more importantly a culture which puts the customers and their needs, experience and demand in the middle of your new product development process.
Disclaimer
S2I2 Enterprise Innovation Framework & Methodology by Motaz Agamawi, www.linkedin.com/in/magamawi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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