How do I manage an Innovation Pipeline?

Three Horizons Innovation Pipeline strategy template

There are a variety of approaches to managing innovation pipelines. Here are some tips, information and templates.

How do I manage an Innovation Pipeline?

We recommend representing and managing concepts in your pipeline using the Three Horizon model:-
Horizon 1: These are the new projects and concepts that are close to your core business, and that you are close to launching – e.g. in the next few weeks / months.
Horizon 2: These are the projects and concepts that are departures from your normal business that you are launching in the mid-term – e.g. in the next few months / quarters.
Horizon 3: These are the new projects and concepts that are large changes from your core business that require significant new capabilities and are long term innovations – e.g. in 1-3 years.
In your innovation pipeline, you will be bringing new Horizon 1, 2 and 3 ideas into the fold constantly, then testing them, discarding the unfeasible ones, and developing the promising ones as appropriate.

Where did the Three Horizons Model come from?

McKinsey created the Three Horizons model to explain how businesses must invest in current products (1st Horizon), incremental innovations (2nd Horizon), and breakthrough innovations (3rd Horizon).

Is there a good Three Horizons Innovation Template?

Yes – we have one here and also a more fully featured Three Horizons Innovation Pipeline Template on our companion marketplace Spitmarket.

How Does the Three Horizons Framework work?

A good innovation programme invests in regular and open innovation activities (e.g. the FROST Innovation Framework). Sometimes this is managed using an R&D team, and other times all teams spend a percentage of their time on innovation. There are also mixtures of both models.
In all scenarios, there are a stream of new concepts being discussed and prototyped at any one time.

Invest in open innovation with your staff!

In all scenarios, there are a stream of new concepts being discussed and prototyped at any one time.

Track your innovations in three categories – your “Horizons”

Horizon 1:
1. Innovations close to your current business.
2. They are close to launching – e.g. in the next few weeks / months.
Horizon 2:
1. Innovations that are departures from your normal business.
2. Launching in the mid-term – e.g. in the next few months / quarters.
Horizon 3:
1. Innovations that are large changes from your core business.
2. Require significant new capabilities.
3. Launching in the long term – e.g. in 1-3 years.

Concepts and Projects move through the Three Horizons.

Promising, feasible projects that start as “Horizon 3” ideas (long term), develop into “Horizon 2” as time progresses.

Concepts that do not test well, or that do not show good results as prototypes, are discarded – i.e. not all ideas will progress from Horizon 3 to 2, and from 2 to 1. In fact, most ideas should not!

Concepts and Projects start as being less important / visible, and rise in importance

Naturally, projects and concepts that start as “Horizon 3” are intrinsically less visible within an organisation – they are not yet “important”!

Are you short on time?

Use these templates to help with this Best Practice:

Innovation Pipeline Structure: The Three Horizons Template

This Three Horizons Framework Template provides a simple flow for your Innovation Pipeline. Essential for all innovators and business leaders.

See: Innovation Pipeline Structure: The Three Horizons Template

Business Topics that support this Best Practice

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See: Hackathon Rollout Guide – Getting Ready: Generate Excitement and Avoid Mistakes (PPT & Keynote)

Hackathon Task Checklist and Status Dashboard (Excel)

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See: Hackathon Task Checklist and Status Dashboard (Excel)

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See: Hackathon Budget Sheet Excel Template

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This 70 slide PPT tells you how to run an “in person” 2-day Hack Event, and helps you with tips and problems to avoid so that you can maximise your Hackathon Event success.

See: 2 Day Hackathon Event Guide – Simple Step by Step for success, and avoid the common mistakes

See all Using Hack Events and Hackathons for Innovation

Strategic Analysis

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See: STEEPLED Analysis PPT – Cheat Sheet Updated for 2024

Strategic Planning Tools Discount Bundle

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