To support long-term strategic planning, implementation, and visualisation of innovation initiatives by providing a clear, layered overview of activities, milestones, and responsibilities.

Roadmapping is a method used to structure and communicate the development and implementation of innovation strategies over time. A roadmap integrates multiple layers of information—such as market conditions, products, technologies, internal capabilities, and resources—into a single visual timeline. This high-level overview helps align teams, clarify priorities, and facilitate internal communication.

An innovation roadmap is not only valuable for strategic planning but also for day-to-day operational management. It breaks down complex plans into clear steps and milestones, assigns responsibilities, and enables teams to monitor progress, allocate resources efficiently, and identify potential synergies or bottlenecks.

1. Define the Scope:
   Clarify the innovation challenge, project, or system to be mapped.

2. Identify Layers:
   Decide which layers to include (e.g., market trends, technology development, internal capabilities, resources).

3. Map the Timeline:
   Draw a timeline (e.g., months, quarters, years) and plot key milestones, deliverables, and decision points for each layer.

4. Assign Responsibilities:
   Allocate tasks and responsibilities to relevant team members or stakeholders.

5. Review and Update:
   Use the roadmap as a living document—regularly review progress, update milestones, and adjust plans as needed.

Phases of the Innovation Spiral:

• Inspiration: Identify long-term goals and emerging opportunities.
• Planning: Define key milestones, deliverables, and resource needs.
• Development: Track progress, adjust plans, and coordinate activities.
• Realisation: Monitor implementation, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Dissemination & embedding: Communicate achievements and lessons learned, and support the integration of innovations into practice.

Benefits:

• Provides a shared, visual overview of strategy and activities
• Clarifies roles, responsibilities, and dependencies
• Supports communication, alignment, and decision-making
• Facilitates monitoring and adaptation

Tips:

• Involve all relevant stakeholders in the creation and review of the roadmap.
• Use colour-coding or symbols to distinguish between layers and highlight critical milestones.
• Keep the roadmap visible and accessible to the team.

• Large paper, whiteboard, or digital tool
• Markers or sticky notes (different colours for each layer)
• Templates for roadmaps (optional)