Innovation often fails, not because of bad ideas, but because progress stalls. Projects get stuck in endless scoping. Perfectionism takes over. Teams lose energy waiting for the perfect plan, rather than celebrating imperfect progress.
Momentum is the fuel that drives innovation forward. Yet in our research:
- Only 3 in 10 leaders can point to a visible innovation win in the last 90 days
- 78% say early wins are rarely shared
- 70% admit progress over perfection happens inconsistently
If that sounds familiar, your organisation has a momentum problem.
Quick Wins to Build Momentum
You do not need a massive transformation program to regain momentum. The key is visible progress that builds belief. Here are three quick wins to help you move again:
1. Focus on a Quick Win Problem
Choose a problem that can be solved within 30 days using existing tools and minimal budget. The faster people see results, the faster confidence builds.
2. Use a Scope Stopwatch
In every project scoping session, set a timer and ask, What can we deliver in the next 90 days? This forces clarity, limits scope creep, and keeps everyone focused on action.
3. Show Early Work
Share prototypes or pilots even when they are rough. It sparks discussion, drives creative feedback, and helps others see that innovation is actually happening.
👉 Want more? Download our Innovation Quick-Wins Guide for 21 practical ways to accelerate innovation inside your organisation.
A Case Study: NRMA’s Certificate of Insurance Redesign
When NRMA set out to redesign its certificate of insurance, it faced a familiar challenge: multiple product lines, siloed teams, and a history of slow, high-risk delivery.
The breakthrough came when the team stopped trying to overhaul everything at once. Instead, they broke the project into small achievable goals. They focused on one product line, one part of the customer journey, and one brand. Design and development teams were co-located, working in fortnightly sprints with real-time feedback.
The result was remarkable. The project was delivered on time, on scope, and error-free. More importantly, it reignited belief across the business. The micro-roadmap approach was soon adopted in other teams, proving that visible progress is contagious.
Why Momentum Matters
Momentum builds confidence, confidence builds buy-in, and buy-in accelerates everything else. Without it, even the best innovation strategies lose steam.
Start small. Deliver something visible. Celebrate progress. Then do it again. The magic of innovation is not in the size of the idea but in the rhythm of delivery.
Next Step
Take your leadership team through the Innovation COMPASS™ Leadership Lab. This hands-on workshop helps leaders identify where momentum is stalling and build a plan for visible, measurable progress.
The Lab is valued at $7,500, but we only offer a handful free to selected clients each year 👇🏻