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6. Shift Lab Innovation Manager Contract Description
Why are we seeking a Shift Lab Innovation Project Manager and What is it?
At present many Social Innovation labs in the world struggle with the ‘implementation side’ of interventions that emerge from lab processes. The implementation side involves further refining, testing, and adapting a prototype to get it ready for pilot and eventually adoption. The Edmonton Shift Lab is purposefully investing in implementation by creating this innovation manager role. A manager facilitates the implementation to emerge. As innovation manager you will be responsible for helping ensure prototypes move from ideas to action of minimum viable pilots.
Things you will need to consider as a Shift Lab Innovation Project Manager:
What minimum resources are required to pilot an intervention?
Some prototype teams will want to only implement if a large and fully developed pilot is possible. This will be an obstacle to navigate. Very often a way forward is to come up with a minimum viable implementation that considers the integrity of the core ideas of the prototype and doesn’t get held back by thinking you need a very complex and expensive roll out.
Who might be best to implement?
It is often assumed that Social Innovation lab collectives will also implement promising prototypes, pilots or interventions that emerge from a lab process. Keep in mind that labs implementing a pilot is not always the best way forward, as often a lab team is not necessarily the right group to implement an intervention. They may not be best to implement because an intervention might be best hosted and managed by a group whom the lab team is not directly connected with. Consider who the intervention serves, and who in the challenge domain ecosystem might be good champions to steward a pilot. You might want to consider that a couple people from the lab team be a part of helping steward the transition between the lab and implementation hosts.
What are the readiness factors for organizations piloting an intervention?
If an organization is deemed to be the best steward of a pilot, the lab team will need to consider the culture and readiness of the organization to adopt and roll out an intervention. Consider how the intervention will disrupt business as usual approaches of the organization and what is needed to safeguard the implementation process.
How much more iteration is required?
You will still need to be tweaking, gaining feedback and adapting a pilot or intervention. Remember that all innovations/interventions have a life cycle.
What lean startup principles and tools can be used to support implementation?
Lean startup principles and tools can sometimes be useful at the implementation stage for honing interventions coming out of Design Labs and Social Innovation Labs. Tools from lean startup methodologies that might be used at this stage to help clarify “asks” and cases for support might be: • Business model canvas • Value Proposition Design • Minimum Viable Product
Contract Role: Shift Lab Innovation Project Manager
This contract role reports to the Edmonton Shift Lab Stewardship Team or Designate.
Contract Description: Under the advisement of the Edmonton Shift Lab Stewardship Team or designate, this contract position is responsible for planning implementation, solidifying partnerships, securing host organizations and funding mechanisms for the ‘implementation side’ of interventions that emerge from the lab process. This may involve continued refining, testing, and adapting of the prototype to move it from prototype to pilot to adoption. This role requires both strong relationship-building/ communications skills as well as strong project management and administrative skills to problem solve, act quickly and design actionable pathways for implementation.
Contractor Responsibilities:
1) Implementation Strategy Development:
• Working in concert with Shift Lab Stewards or designate the contractor will contribute to developing a goal oriented implementation strategy for the specific prototype assigned to the contractor within the 6 month time frame allotted. • Refine, define and create a clear 1 to 2 page description of the minimum viable prototype to be funded and implemented • Develop and present to stewards a 6 month timeline of goals, milestones and strategies for implementation • Monthly send a short email report to stewards of what has been accomplished and areas where support may be required • Summarize and develop a final thematic blog post report for the Shift Lab website of learning gathered from implementation and where the intervention is at, and what is needed next at the time of the end of the 6 month contract.
2) Coordination of elements that communicate the key ideas of the plan:
The contractor will work with an assigned designer if any visual, or communication materials are required for pitching and communicating with prospects about the what and how of implementation
3) Coordination of meetings & leads:
Building on the strategy, the contractor will set up strategic meetings with key prospects for funding and/or organizations that have a high probability of success with implementing a particular prototype. The contractor will be required to clearly communicate the prototype idea and key asks to stakeholders and prospects
4) Writing Small Grant applications:
A requirement within the first month of the contract will be to write the Shift Lab ECF grant application after establishing the minimum viable implementation plan. There may also be other grant applications required to be written as well.
5) Respectfully following Indigenous protocols:
If working with, or consulting Elders or Indigenous people and groups, the contractor will ask what protocol is required. Shift Lab has some funds for gifts, tobacco, and protocol to ensure appropriate engagement.
