How do you create movement in a complex organization?
The Dutch Ministry of Defense wanted an adaptive armed forces—an organization that can respond quickly to changes in society. Innovation had always focused on equipment, but it became clear that the real key lies in people and culture. Design Thinking was considered important for this purpose.
The challenge
Colleagues were full of good ideas, but noticed how difficult it was to really create change. In a large organization with many interdependencies and assumptions (“that’s probably not allowed”), innovation often stalled. Collaboration and speed were particular stumbling blocks.
What did the program look like?
We trained a group of 350 innovation coaches on Design Thinking to stimulate social innovation within the Ministry of Defense. In just five days, they learned how to tackle issues. Multidisciplinary teams worked on real cases from within the organization, enabling them to:
- Learn and innovate together.
- Opened up new perspectives.
- Made an immediate impact.
In the next phase, we shifted the focus from training to action. We developed a project format that we called Sprints.
Sprints made it possible to involve not only trained employees but also other curious colleagues in relevant challenges. Sprints consisted of collaborative meetings and fieldwork.
This synergy not only led to better solutions but also to broad involvement and positive energy within the organization. The mindset became “Show, don’t tell.” By doing, new people were inspired.
Eventually we trained another 100 staff members, senior leadership and special forces.
What was the impact?
- Initially, 350 innovation coaches were trained on Design Thinking;
- More than 400 cases were resolved;
- No fewer than 5,300 people involved in innovation.
The movement has been set in motion. What started as an idea for an adaptive armed forces became the start of a cultural change in which cooperation and innovation are central. The process is never-ending, but our role in helping the Ministry of Defense’s innovation coaches get started has been completed. They have continued on their own.
Afterwards even more people got trained and we were asked to support them on Design Thinking workshops and masterclasses.
Would you also like to create a movement for change?
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