When planning an innovation, it is essential to make sure that your idea generates added value for your customers. Find ideas that will allow you to meet customer requirements better, reduce your turnaround time, meet new environmental standards or penetrate new markets. Not all of your ideas will necessarily be original, but make sure that your business and your customers benefit from your investment in innovation.

Create a prototype
A common strategy, particularly when it comes to product development, is to build a prototype that essentially allows you to test your product using an experimental model. Even if the prototype doesn't exactly match the end product, you should strive to make it as close as possible. Call on the expertise of designers and engineers to build your prototype. Analyze your prototype carefully so that you can perfect it if necessary. Once you've resolved any issues with your product, you can proceed to the final design stage.