The Approach
Overview of the EBN Process
EBNLab provides a structured three-stage process that enables users to systematically capture, verify, and prioritise opportunities based on their level of confidence, supporting evidence and alignment with their organisation’s requirements.
EBNLab’s 3 Stage Process
EBNLab is composed of a three-stage Evidence-Based Needs (EBN) Process:
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Stage 1: Discover. This stage is focused on capturing problems and developing them as structured Need Statements.
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Stage 2: Develop. This stage is focused on engaging with stakeholders to understand their current level of satisfaction (with existing solutions to address the problem) and the perceived level of importance of addressing the Need from their perspective. This approach aims to reduce self-reference and self-bias in the prioritisation of Need Statements.
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Stage 3: Define. This stage is focused on ensuring that prioritised Need Statements have been assessed against your organisation’s strategic criteria.
Key benefits of the EBN (Evidence-Based Needs) Process includes: -
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All Need Statements are supported by evidence. Evidence should be added throughout the three-stage process to help refine the Need Statement and inform the team’s confidence in which problems are worth addressing.
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Assessment and prioritisation of the Need Statements by the Innovation Champion / Decision Maker is informed by data linked to confidence, evidence and alignment to the organisation’s requirements.
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Innovation Champions and Decision Makers have a systematic approach to managing innovation with a focus on capturing, verifying and prioritising opportunities based on evidence and confidence.
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Decision Makers can review their organisation's front-end innovation process and its performance linked to an innovation portfolio of Need Statements before selecting where to invest their valuable resources and time.
Key Benefits
Clause 8.3.2 of ISO 56002, relates to the identification of opportunities. ‘Process Management’ is a key element of Innovation Management (ISO 56002). EBNLab provides a structured process for managing front-end innovation through the capturing, verifying and prioritising of opportunities effectively and efficiently.
Why is the EBN process important?
Discovery - Stage 1
Craft, Refine, Compare, Assess and Filter Need Statements, to focus resources on developing the best opportunities.
Development - Stage 2
Obtain stakeholder and user feedback to avoid self-reference and self-bias in prioritising Need Statements.