In Module 8, we will learn what it takes to submit a winning entry to an innovation competition.  Specifically, we will learn about the importance of conducting primary and secondary research, ideating to come up with multiple ideas,  different types of prototypes that can be built to demonstrate the working of our innovative idea or solution, differentiate our solution from that of the competition, demonstrate the commercial viability of our solution, and documente and present our solution.  We will also learn pitfalls to avoid in submitting our entry to an innovation competition.

Too often students ignore the below steps.  As a result, they entry will remain shallow and won't stand a good chance of winning the innovation competition.  If we wish to submit a winning entry to an innovation competition, we need to pay good attention to the following:

Research is broadly classified into two main types: 1) Fundamental research and 2) Applied research.  Fundamental-research is a type of scientific research that aims at improving scientific theories for better understanding and prediction of natural or other phenomena, whereas applied-research involves gaining knowledge of a problem in order to come up with a better solution to address it.   

Research can also be classified as Primary research and Secondary research depending on the source of data used for conducting the research.  Primary research uses data from first-hand observations, surveys, focus-group interviews, first-hand experiences, etc., to gather information and analyze them whereas secondary research relies on data from books, periodicals, research reports, magazines, websites, databases, etc. to gather data and analyze them.  We need to use both primary and secondary research in our problem-solving efforts.  In fact, steps 1 to 8 in Modules 3 & 4 discussed primary research techniques, while step 9 in Module 5 discussed secondary research technique.   Any innovation competition requires us to make use of both primary and secondary research techniques.  

Conducting research will help us understand the problem domain or problem statement in breadth as well as depth before narrowing down to pick a specific problem to deal with.  It also helps us empathize with the needs of the affected people well.  By conducting research, we will be able to ask probing questions such as why, what, how, when, whom, where, etc. and elicit answers for them.  Without sufficient research, our understanding of the problem will remain shallow. Consequently, any solution we come up with will lack depth and the innovation is likely to fail.  

Question: Have you undertaken primary & secondary research to understand the problem well?

Question: Have you conducted a brainstorming session within your team to generate multiple ideas to solve the problem, or are you going ahead with the first idea that came to mind?

3. Implement a prototype to demonstrate the working of your solution to the problem

A prototype uses technology & tools to demonstrate the practical feasibility of your solution to the defined problem.  A prototype has the most basic or essential features and capabilities to prove that the solution works, solves the problem, or offers value & benefits to people who have the need.   So, it is important to build a prototype that really demonstrates the working of the solution to the identified problem.  If the prototype can convince users of the value of your innovation, it can be refined further to develop a product and even sold in the market to make money!

Prototyping Resource Materials and Building Blocks:

While building a prototype for the innovation competition, the right choice of prototyping resource materials and building-blocks is key.  To build a pretotype, simple resource materials like foam, clay, cardboard sheets, ice-cream sticks, LEGO-blocks or wood can be used.  To build a basic or advanced prototypes, one can use ready-to-use science, electronics, robotic or drone kits or a combination of them.  However, these kits may require you to have additional skills to use them.  So, make sure to acquire the requisite skills before using them.

Tips for Prototyping:

1. The innovation competition requires you to build a working prototype, not just a dummy model.  

2. Decide the type of prototype you wish to build - physical or virtual.

3. Get the required prototyping resource materials from your school, or on your own

4. Validate your assumptions before proceeding further.  

5. Go with skills you already have, or skills that you can readily acquire in a few days or weeks time.  Acquiring skills in tools and technologies can take considerable time.  Don't attempt to build a prototype if you don't know how to build it, or don't have the necessary skills.  Otherwise, you may not be able to complete your prototype before the deadline for submission.

6. Plan your prototype before you start building it.  Determine how much time & effort it takes to build the prototype.  Divide the effort between the team members.  Make a schedule and stick to it.  Otherwise, you won't be able to complete the prototype before the submission deadline.

7. Make sure the prototype you build can adequately demonstrate the desirability and feasibility your innovation.   If you can also demonstrate the viability of your solution, it will be a plus, though not a must for an innovation competition.

Question:  Do you know how to build the prototype to demonstrate the desirability, feasibility and viability of your innovation?

4. Differentiate your solution from that of competitors

Determining how our solution compares with that of competing products & solutions in the market helps us find a unique selling proposition and help our innovation succeed in the market.  To analyze our competition, we need to explore and find out who our competitors are, what their products / services are, and how they fare vis-à-vis our solution.

Competition Analysis Matrix is a tool that helps us determine the similarities & differences between our solution and that offered by other solutions in the market.  When we analyze the competition, we assess each solution-alternative on a set of "factors" that are important to our target audience.  This way, we know how each solution compares from the end-user's perspective.   An example of the Competition Analysis Matrix for the Smart Duster innovation is given below (see image on the right).

5. Demonstrate the commercial viability of your innovation

As we saw earlier, it should be possible (or viable) to commercialize and sell our innovative solution so that it adds value to someone, somewhere and they are willing to pay for it.  

A business model helps us determine how to commercialize our innovation and make it available in the form of products or services to paying customers.  Specifically, a business model will help us gain clarity on: 1) what do we need to do to commercialize our solution (called key activities), 2) what resources do we need to commercialize our solution (called key resources), 3) who are our customers (called customer segments), 4) with whom can we partner to offer our solution to customers (called key partners), 5) what are the benefits of our solution to our customers (called value proposition), 6) how will we engage with prospective customers (called customer engagement), 7) what online or offline channels we will use to sell our solution to the customers (called sales channels), 8) what costs will we incur in commercializing our solution (called cost structure), and 9) how can we benefit or earn money from commercializing our solution (called revenue model).

Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a tool that helps us visualize all the essential details for commercializing our innovative solution.  An example of a Business Model Canvas for the Smart Duster innovation is given below (see image on the right). 

6. Document and present your Innovative solution

Pitching your innovative solution to the jury members of the innovation competition is the last and final step.  However, it is a very important step.  We can do this in one of two ways:

1. Put together a document or pitch deck with the following information:

   1. • • Innovation project name

        • Details of your team members

        • Problem statement we are tackling and users 

        • Key research findings

        • Solution alternatives we have considered

        • Details of the innovative solution we have shortlisted and finalized

        • Benefits of the solution

        • Highlights of the working prototype we have built

        • Tools & technologies we have used to build the prototype

        • Any other highlights, including results from field trials conducted, user feedback, etc.

        • Next steps and future plans

2. Create a 2-minute video with the following content:

   1. • • A 360-degree view of your innovative solution prototype 

        • A demonstration of how the prototype works

        • Highlights of the salient features implemented in the prototype

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid in submitting your entry to the innovation competition:

1. Putting in inadequate time & efforts: Many students work on their idea at the last minute, just a week before the deadline.  Things take time, and cannot be rushed.  One needs to spread their effort over 6 to 8 weeks to make a reasonably strong submission.  

2. Submitting ideas instead of innovations: Many students submit an idea rather than an innovation.  Understanding the difference between ideas, inventions and innovation is key.

3. Ideas are not backed by strong research: Students often don't put in effort to understand the problem sufficiently, but jump into describing the solution.  A solution that doesn't have a clear need is of no value to anyone.  Conducting research to identify and understand the problem is most essential before coming up with an innovative solution.  

4. Submit the first idea that comes to mind:  Often, students submit the first idea that comes to mind. Instead, one needs to explore multiple solution alternatives and choose the most promising option to build.

5. Drop ideas too soon: Students often drop an idea just because something similar already exists.  Instead, one needs to consider how to differentiate their idea from what already exists.

6. Solutions not innovative or does not have broad appeal:  At times, the solution submitted by students are a copy of an existing solution or have very limited appeal.  One needs to come up with a novel solution that has wider appeal and can be used by many people.

7. Poor implementation of prototype:  Often, the prototype functionality doesn't adequately address the problem described.  A prototype has to clearly demonstrate how it addresses the identified problem (desirability factor).  Otherwise, it fails to serve it's purpose.

8. Driven to action by competition, rather than genuine problem-solving: Many students are driven to action by the competition.  A far better approach is to start working on a problem (irrespective of the competition) and submit your entry to the competition when you have made sufficient progress.

Please complete the following two activities:

1. Create a document or pitch deck detailing the problem statement you are tackling, your key research findings, solution alternatives you have considered, details of the innovative solution you have come up with, benefits of your solution, highlights of the working prototype you have built, technologies you have used to build the prototype, details of your team, etc.

2. Create a 2-minute video demonstrating how your solution prototype works and explain its salient features.