# 3 Systematic support for innovation

What is it?
Systematic support for innovation is about using a defined framework to track the progress of an idea and identify appropriate support along the way.

How could I use it?
Moving from a bright idea to a service intervention that both demonstrates value and is scalable is never a simple task. Over the years organisations that support innovation have developed a number of frameworks to track an idea’s progress. These frameworks provide guidance for innovators through the different stages of development, and help managers, funders, and mentors evaluate the potential of innovations and identify further support.

Where has it been used?
Systematic assessment and support for innovations is a method borrowed directly from venture capital investors, who use a process for turning ideas into sustainable business models.

1. Bell Mason frameworks
The Bell Mason Group uses a framework to track the success of new projects. Each new idea is assessed against a number of criteria including performance, team, investment, marketing, business plan etc. The idea is expected to meet stricter criteria as it develops through the business case, to the prototyping phase etc.
This method helps funders (both external and internal) chart the progress of innovations and check that milestones for funding and support in the next phase are being met. Bespoke frameworks like this are also used by organisations such as Health LaunchPad and Philips.

2. Next Practice innovation model
This model of charting the progress of innovations in the public sector has been developed by the Innovation Unit as part of its Next Practice programme to support innovation in education. It charts the stages that innovators go through to generate a new idea, develop and incubate it, and then scale it, noting the associated work and milestones involved with each stage. 

The model underpins the Next Practice in Education Programme, funded by DCSF, to identify innovations in education. It's was also used by four local authorities as part of the Innovation Catalyst's work on youth crime.

More information
•    Bell Mason group
•    Next Practice model