The Nike innovation organization had grown to support the expanded business and product portfolio. The team needed a process that fostered creativity without stifling it, allowing for risk and failure, while also enabling the identification of concepts deserving additional investment of capital and human resources.

We designed a new process that created distinct innovation phases intended to explore, discover, accelerate and transition key innovation concepts. This process included key checkpoints designed to highlight concept readiness as defined within each innovation phase. Readiness included assessments related to costing, manufacturing capability, intellectual property, sustainability and consumer feedback.

This innovation process integrated into Nike's larger business ecosystem through defined checkpoints with various category teams and supply chain partners with the goal to prepare them for the impact of new innovation concepts.

Our goal was to not only drive innovation within Nike but also to ensure that these innovations were successfully brought to market. By aligning innovation processes with broader business objectives, we enabled Nike to maintain its position as a leader in the footwear industry.