Agile Innovation: 4 Ways To Make Decisions Faster

This expert opinion by Soren Kaplan, author of Experiential Intelligence, was originally published on Inc.com.

Agility in business isn’t just about reacting quickly. It’s about making the right moves at the right time. Companies that embrace an agile approach to innovation consistently outperform competitors, adapt to market shifts faster, and execute new ideas with less friction. Yet, many organizations struggle to balance speed with structure, leading to stalled initiatives and wasted resources.

A simple four-step agile innovation process can help teams accelerate execution while maintaining strategic focus. Whether launching a new product, rethinking operations, or driving cultural change, this framework ensures leaders define clear priorities, make fast decisions, and act without hesitation.

Step 1: Define Innovation Ownership–Who Is The Accountable Leader?

Innovation without ownership leads to stagnation. Every initiative needs a clear leader, someone accountable for moving things forward, making decisions, and removing obstacles. Whether it’s a dedicated innovation officer, a cross-functional task force, or a product manager, defining a single point of accountability ensures clarity from the start.

For example, when a global consumer goods company wanted to redesign its supply chain for sustainability, they assigned a senior director to lead the effort. This single point of accountability meant decisions were made quickly, and teams stayed aligned on priorities. Without clear leadership, projects like these can stall due to competing interests across departments.

Answer the Question: Who is responsible for driving this innovation forward?

Step 2: Define Focus—What Problem Are We Solving?

Too many innovation projects fail because teams chase broad ideas without a clear focus. Defining the problem to be solved or opportunity ensures alignment and prevents teams from drifting into unnecessary complexity. A successful agile innovation process prioritizes a single challenge and dedicates energy to solving it fast.

A major healthcare provider, for instance, wanted to improve patient wait times. Instead of launching an expensive tech overhaul, they first gathered data to pinpoint the biggest delays. They discovered that administrative bottlenecks, not medical procedures, were causing the longest wait times. By focusing on the real issue, they implemented a targeted scheduling fix in weeks instead of months.

Answer the Question: What is the specific problem or opportunity this innovation addresses?

Step 3: Make Fast Decisions—Remove Bottlenecks

Speed requires decisiveness. Agile innovation demands rapid decision-making cycles, not endless meetings and delayed approvals. Teams should embrace fast iteration, using real-time feedback and data to guide adjustments. When an innovation team can test, learn, and refine quickly, it dramatically increases the chances of success.

A tech startup developing a new AI-driven customer service tool needed to decide whether to expand features or launch a minimal viable product (MVP). Rather than waiting for a perfect solution, leadership chose to release the MVP, gather user feedback, and iterate. The decision led to early adoption, faster learning, and ultimately, a more competitive product.

Answer The Question: What decisions need to be made immediately to keep momentum?

Step 4: Implement—Turn Strategy Into Action

A brilliant idea means nothing without execution. Agile innovation focuses on early wins. Small, tangible actions validate ideas and generate quick results. Teams should identify necessary internal and external resources, ensure cross-functional collaboration, and measure progress in real-time. The faster an idea moves from concept to reality, the more agile the organization becomes.

Consider a retail brand launching a new digital storefront. Instead of waiting months to perfect the platform, they piloted a limited version for select customers. By analyzing early engagement, they optimized features before a full rollout, saving both time and money.

Answer The Question: What’s the first concrete step to start implementing today?

Tutorial:

The Bottom Line: Why Agile Innovation Works

Traditional innovation models often get bogged down in bureaucracy. Agile innovation keeps organizations moving forward. By breaking complex initiatives into four focused steps—leadership, focus, decision-making, and execution—companies can innovate at speed while staying aligned with strategic goals.

I’ve included the Agile Innovation Process template in my Innovation Master Class. It’s a practical tool any leader can use to help their team move quickly, learn, adapt, and execute to thrive in today’s fast-moving world.

Want more practical strategies for driving innovation? Join my email list for exclusive insights, tools, and resources.