Best Practices for Reviewing Ideas

Reviews BP

Sharing information on your review process and updates on the status of their ideas builds trust and a culture that values collaboration and innovation.             

Trae Tessmann|
February 12, 2018

Getting new ideas is only half the battle. What does your review process look like?

 

No matter if you’re using a suggestion box to get some feedback or an idea management platform to hear from everyone in your organization, you’ve probably got some new ideas floating around your organization.

 

But not every idea should (or can) be brought to life. Determining which ideas to move forward is reliant on a review process.

 

So what should you do to ensure your review process is as efficient as possible?

 

 

Get Organized

 

Have an easy-to-digest format for the list of the ideas that are being reviewed, where they came from, and what the context is for their collection. Know what you’re looking at and why you’re looking at it.

 

Confirm the availability of the people who are doing the reviews. Confirm their willingness and ability to judge ideas without bias, as well as their authority to approve ideas to move them forward to decision-makers or development.

 

 

Formalize Steps

 

Set and stick with a series of steps for when ideas are reviewed, and the channels you use to review them. Removing bias is reliant on having to deal with as few variables as possible during review.

 

Taking the time to formalize these steps can also save you time and resources during each of your hopefully plentiful idea collection pushes in the future. Consistency in your idea management process breeds comfort and speed, and that only helps in the repeatability of your initiatives.

 

 

Seek Perspectives

 

While your idea review and selection committee doesn’t have to be huge, don’t rely on (or give full responsibility to) the CEO to give an idea a yes or no. Not only does that open up more opportunities for bias, but can frankly over-burden them with the number of ideas you’re receiving.

 

Instead, allow mid-level managers and front-line employees the chance to not only submit their ideas, but also leave their feedback and voice their support for ideas they see as high-potential.

 

 

Communicate Results

 

If your employees or customers are consistently sharing their feedback and ideas with you, oblige them with some feedback and transparency in return.

 

While not every idea will be ready for implementation, sharing information on your review process and updates on the status of their ideas can go a long way to building trust and a culture that values collaboration and innovation.

 

 

Ready to take your idea collection and review process to the next level?

 

About Trae Tessmann

Co-founder of Ideawake

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