Local Innovation, Scaled
Overview
Local Innovation, Scaled is an operating pattern where solutions developed by one department or location to solve a local problem are refined, generalized, and made available to other parts of the organization, multiplying the value of innovation.
Key Principles
- Bottom-up innovation: Solutions emerge from frontline teams solving real problems
- Proof of concept: Local success demonstrates viability before scaling
- Generalization: Local solutions are adapted to work in different contexts
- Knowledge transfer: The team that developed the solution helps others implement it
- Continued ownership: Local innovators maintain connection to the scaled solution
Why This Pattern?
Innovation often emerges from frontline staff solving local problems. Rather than having all innovation top-down or centralized, organizations can encourage local problem-solving and then scale the best solutions organization-wide.
Implementation Considerations
- Create channels for frontline innovations to be identified and escalated
- Establish clear criteria for determining which innovations merit scaling
- Invest in knowledge transfer and documentation
- Provide support for implementation in new contexts
- Recognize and reward local innovators
- Plan for adaptation to local context, not one-size-fits-all implementation