Executing Breakthrough Innovations with the Three Box Solution from edX

When companies launch Box 3 innovation initiatives, they typically allot most of their time and energy to the thrilling hunt for the breakthrough idea. That much-ballyhooed burst of inspiration is merely a starting point. The real innovation challenge lies beyond the idea. It lies in a long, hard journey—from imagination to impact.

In this course, part of the Leading Innovation Professional Certificate program, Vijay Govindarajan (VG) reveals how to execute a Box 3 innovation initiative. The crux of the challenge is that business organizations are not designed for innovation; they are designed for ongoing operations. And there are deep and fundamental conflicts between the two.

This course is based on the frameworks and ideas from The Three Box Solution: A Strategy for Leading Innovation book. Using three modules, VG shows you how to:

Build the right team for your innovation initiative: Determine who will be on the team, how it will be structured, and how it can partner with ongoing operations. Anticipate and prevent conflicts.
Run a disciplined experiment: Test assumptions, translate results into new knowledge, and measure progress.

The content of this course is relevant for a large corporation, a mid-size business, a startup or a nonprofit organization. Because innovation is a team sport, the course is useful for individuals who intend to advance careers in R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Service, Human Resources, Accounting, and Finance.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Module 1 overcome the forgetting challenge: building a dedicated team for the box 3 innovation initiative
Module 2 overcome the borrow challenge: creating a healthy partnership between the dedicated team and the core business and managing the resulting conflicts

Module 3 overcome the learn challenge: how to amplify weak signals and test critical assumptions that are inherent in box 3 experiments

Module 1 overcome the forgetting challenge: building a dedicated team for the box 3 innovation initiative
Module 2 overcome the borrow challenge: creating a healthy partnership between the dedicated team and the core business and managing the resulting conflicts
Module 3 overcome the learn challenge: how to amplify weak signals and test critical assumptions that are inherent in box 3 experiments

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding of Box 3 innovation initiatives, which are concepts and tactics that are widely discussed in the industry

Examines the challenges of pursuing innovation in organizations, which are topics of high relevance in industry and business today

Teaches learners how to build a team for an innovation initiative, which is a skill that is highly useful for managers and leaders

Taught by Vijay Govindarajan, who is recognized as one of the world's leading experts on innovation

Examines the conflicts between ongoing operations and innovation, with a focus on how to manage these conflicts

This course is designed for individuals who intend to advance their careers in a variety of roles across a variety of sectors

Reviews summary

Executing breakthrough innovation framework

According to students, this course offers an incredibly insightful and immediately applicable framework for executing breakthrough innovations. Learners consistently praise Professor Vijay Govindarajan's excellent lecturing, highlighting his ability to articulate complex ideas with remarkable clarity. The course provides actionable strategies for building and leading dedicated innovation teams, managing the 'Borrow' challenge, and fostering collaboration. Reviewers find the focus on disciplined experimentation and amplifying weak signals to be a game-changer. While some note its strong theoretical foundation or potential overlap if one has read the book, the consensus is that it offers immense value for business leaders, enabling them to apply lessons directly to their roles.

Combines strong theory with digestible case studies.

"While it's largely theoretical, the case studies and examples make it digestible. A great foundational course."

"Good course, strong theoretical foundation. It really emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to innovation, not just ideation."

"The material is dense but well-presented. The core principles remain timeless."

Valuable insights into building teams and managing conflicts.

"I particularly appreciated how he broke down the complexities of Box 3 innovation into manageable, actionable steps... how to build and lead dedicated innovation teams effectively."

"The content on managing the 'Borrow' challenge and fostering collaboration between core business and innovation teams was particularly valuable."

"The emphasis on team dynamics and managing organizational resistance was particularly impactful."

Offers immediately applicable strategies for innovation.

"VG's framework is incredibly insightful and immediately applicable. The course truly helped me understand how to build and lead dedicated innovation teams."

"This course takes the theoretical framework from his book and translates it into a practical guide for execution. I can immediately apply these lessons to my company's new product development cycle."

"I gained practical strategies for structuring innovation initiatives and measuring progress."

Professor Govindarajan provides clear, insightful guidance.

"Absolutely brilliant! VG's framework is incredibly insightful and immediately applicable."

"Professor Govindarajan is an excellent lecturer, articulating complex ideas with remarkable clarity."

"Professor VG's insights are unparalleled. This course takes the theoretical framework from his book and translates it into a practical guide for execution."

Some content may be familiar if book was read.

"If you've already read the book, much of this might feel like a rehash. Still, a decent overview for those new to the framework."

"I found the course interesting, but it leans heavily on the concepts from the book. If you have, it's mostly a reinforcement."

"I was hoping for more new content or deeper dives into specific industries."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Executing Breakthrough Innovations with the Three Box Solution with these activities:

Review business organization

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Strategize ways to execute a Box 3 innovation initiative by reviewing how businesses are organized.

Browse courses on Business Organizations

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Review organizational structure
Analyze how business organizations are structured
Identify the challenges and conflicts that can arise between ongoing operations and innovation

Organize all documentation

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Gather all course notes, assignments, syllabi, and recordings into one location to begin learning about the different ways to execute a Box 3 innovation initiative.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Gather course notes, assignments, syllabi, and recordings
Use a cloud platform or file management software to store materials
Create folders for each topic

Tutorial: Build a Dedicated Team

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Build your team for a Box 3 Innovation by following steps provided in the tutorial.

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Identify team members
Assign roles and responsibilities
Establish clear goals and objectives
Develop a communication plan

Five other activities

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Create a project proposal

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Solidify the process of taking part in a Box 3 Innovation initiative by writing a project proposal that outlines the steps you will take.

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Identify objectives
Outline steps
Set a timeline
Identify resources and budget
Develop a risk management plan

Mentor new students

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Engage with new students and enhance your learning experience by sharing knowledge and providing guidance on Box 3 innovation initiatives.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Identify opportunities to mentor new students
Share your knowledge and experience
Provide guidance and support
Facilitate connections and collaborations

Contribute to Open Innovation Projects

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Gain practical experience and connect with a global community of innovators by contributing to open source projects focused on Box 3 innovation.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Identify open source projects related to Box 3 innovation
Review project documentation and code
Contribute to the project by adding features, fixing bugs, or improving documentation

Develop an Innovation Playbook

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Synthesize your learning and enhance your understanding of Box 3 innovation initiatives by creating a comprehensive innovation playbook.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Gather insights and best practices from various sources
Organize and structure the content in a logical and accessible manner
Develop engaging and informative content that resonates with the target audience

Participate in Innovation Challenge

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Test your skills through participation in an innovation challenge by pitching your Box 3 innovation ideas.

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Identify an innovation challenge
Develop your Box 3 innovation idea
Pitch your idea to the challenge judges

Career center

Learners who complete Executing Breakthrough Innovations with the Three Box Solution will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for leading and executing innovation initiatives within an organization. This course would be highly beneficial for Innovation Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and implementing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Innovation Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. This course would be beneficial for Product Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Product Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are responsible for starting and running their own businesses. This course would be beneficial for Entrepreneurs, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Entrepreneurs.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for developing and executing new business opportunities. This course would be beneficial for Business Development Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Business Development Managers.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course would be beneficial for Marketing Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Marketing Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. This course would be beneficial for Sales Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Sales Managers.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business. This course would be beneficial for Operations Managers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Operations Managers.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations. This course would be beneficial for Financial Analysts, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Financial Analysts.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants are responsible for providing advice and guidance to businesses. This course would be beneficial for Management Consultants, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Management Consultants.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers are responsible for designing and improving the user experience of products and services. This course would be beneficial for User Experience Designers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for User Experience Designers.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course would be beneficial for Data Scientists, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Data Scientists.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course would be beneficial for Software Engineers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Software Engineers.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers are responsible for designing and developing products. This course would be beneficial for Industrial Designers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Industrial Designers.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing and developing mechanical systems. This course would be beneficial for Mechanical Engineers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Mechanical Engineers.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing and developing electrical systems. This course would be beneficial for Electrical Engineers, as it provides a framework for developing and executing breakthrough innovations. The course's focus on overcoming the challenges of innovation execution, such as building a dedicated team, creating partnerships with the core business, and testing critical assumptions, would be particularly valuable for Electrical Engineers.

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