Innovation Ecosystem
Curriculum Pilot, Australia
SPRING 2017
PRE, MID & POST SURVEY DATA
In Spring 2017, we gathered ecosystem leaders
from Guatemala, Kenya and Pakistan for a pilot
to begin testing curricula concepts for our
new fellowship.
The following survey results inform our process
from a user feedback point of view, and help us
think about how to improve our curricula as
we work toward the fellowship’s inaugural year.
Goals
PLEASE RANK THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOP
GOALS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE TO YOU:
HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS
THE WORKSHOP IN
ACHIEVING THOSE GOALS?
(1-10)
1
To share and equip each other with
new sets of skills and knowledge to
develop innovation ecosystems
2
To do strategic planning on personal
or team projects and identify clear
next steps
8.4
3
To gain a better understanding of the
innovation ecosystems across the
globe and share best practices
8.1
Pre-Survey
8.3
Post-Survey
Local innovation ecosystems should…
“…engage diverse stakeholders – from
educational institutions, to community groups, to
government and business.”
“…be sustainable in all ways.”
“…include resources for people to gain the
skills/knowledge they lack.”
“…consist of a
pool of resources “…bring different people together to work on common objectives
for the benefit of all.”
for everyone to
access.”
“…enable new actors
“…be able to have a
to emerge and feel like
there are likeminded
people to talk to.”
“…be inclusive, collaborative, open,
semi-structured and about knowledge
sharing and support.”
“…support local innovations
and innovators.”
measurable direct positive
impact to the community.”
“…be
constantly
evolving.”
“…inspire a
whole
country to join.”
“…be sustainable, collaborative, and improve the
quality of life around us.”
Roles
WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PLAYING IN
YOUR LOCAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM? (SELECT 13)
19
Innovator/Designer
14
Educator/Teacher
11
Mentor/Advisor
10
Connector/Convener
8
Entrepreneur
6
Advocate/Activist
Funder/Investor
1
Other
1
Pre-Survey
Skill Building
HOW CONFIDENT DO YOU FEEL USING THE FOLLOWING SKILLS? (1-10)
HOW RELEVANT ARE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS IN YOUR WORK? (1-10)
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS? (1-10)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
7.6
Building Relationships & Engaging Actors
9.0
8.9
6.9
Building Platforms & Structures for Collaboration
8.9
9.1
7.6
Leadership & Team Building
8.4
9.0
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
5.8
8.6
9.2
Business Models & Strategy
6.0
8.4
9.3
Skill Confidence
HOW CONFIDENT DID YOU FEEL USING THE FOLLOWING SKILLS
BEFORE AND AFTER THE WORKSHOP? (1-10)
Building Relationships & Engaging Actors
Building Platforms & Structures for Collaboration
Business Models & Strategy
1
2
Post-Survey
3
4
5
8.6
7.4
8.7
6.3
6.2
6
8.5
7.1
Leadership & Team Building
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
8.0
7
8
42% of participants improved
92% of participants improved
75% of participants improved
8.3
100% of participants improved
8.3
100% of participants improved
9
10
For Each Skill, Which Element Taught It
Best?
FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SKILLS, SELECT ALL FACTORS
THAT CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR LEARNING:
Skills
Workshop
Team
Spotlight
Building Relationships
& Engaging Actors
67%
50%
75%
50%
58%
Building Platforms & Structures
for Collaboration
58%
33%
67%
17%
67%
Leadership & Team Building
67%
42%
50%
17%
17%
Monitoring, Evaluation &
Learning
92%
17%
8%
17%
8%
Business Models & Strategy
100%
17%
42%
8%
42%
Post-Survey
Informal
GDDS
Australian
Interactions Conference Connection
% of respondents who selected each element for that
skill; i.e. 42% of respondents learned leadership & team building in a team spotlight
For Each Element, Which Skill Did It Teach
Best?
FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SKILLS, SELECT ALL FACTORS
THAT CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR LEARNING:
Skills
Workshop
Team
Spotlight
Building Relationships
& Engaging Actors
67%
50%
75%
50%
58%
Building Platforms & Structures
for Collaboration
58%
33%
67%
17%
67%
Leadership & Team Building
67%
42%
50%
17%
17%
Monitoring, Evaluation &
Learning
92%
17%
8%
17%
8%
Business Models & Strategy
100%
17%
42%
8%
42%
Post-Survey
Informal
GDDS
Australian
Interactions Conference Connection
% of respondents who selected each element for that
skill; i.e. 42% of respondents learned leadership & team building in a team spotlight
Reflections
WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR PERSPECTIVES DID YOU GAIN?
Main themes: Business models (6), Facilitation techniques (5), Local
innovation ecosystems (5), Team building (3), Data/M&E (3), Other participants’
projects (3), Risk management (2)
Post-Survey
Reflections
WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR PERSPECTIVES DID YOU GAIN?
“I understood a lot more deeply what an Innovation Ecosystem was and how it works. I was able to
live and feel the value of diversity during these 2 weeks. I broke some mental paradigms about
people, about the value I have to offer as part of an ecosystem and as part of the network, and about
how knowledge shouldn't be delivered but facilitated to be discovered within each individual.”
“Gained resources on better M&E methods. Understanding the infrastructure around social
impact efforts in Pakistan and Guatemala. Different business models and strategies. Insights on
building teams and mitigating risks in new ventures. Deep appreciation of Australia's history.”
“Improving pricing models for [my project], M&E for educational training platforms,
retiring risks and preparing for the evolution of IDIN into more vibrant local chapters.”
“Melbourne's ecosystem, how social innovators, universities, companies, government, etc. are working
hard towards an innovative and sustainable future :)”
“It was invaluable learning about all of the different projects of the participants, such as the storytelling
cube which can be adapted to other situations. I learned many different facilitation techniques. It was
interesting using my own project to apply information from the workshops, and also to gain others
perspectives through shared problem solving.”
“Building teams - the act of reciprocity, how to plan for fundraising, building innovative
business models - for profit and no profit. Data party-how to gather, prepare and enjoy data
presentation.”
Improvement
IF WE HOST A SIMILAR PROGRAM NEXT YEAR, WHAT
SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU GIVE US?
+
Δ
 Amazing people and
connections
 Fluid, adaptable, and
open to feedback
 Small size
 Focus on peer learning
 Mix of work and play/rest
 Mix of locations
 Great food and venue
 Clarify overall goals and vision of workshop (6)
 Set specific, short-term goals for teams to achieve during
the workshop (2)
 More time for project-specific problem solving (2)
 More time/focus on planning for future collaborations (2)
 Deeper collaboration and connection before the
workshop and in first days (2)
 Invite different profiles
 Open application process
 Do this with innovation center partners
 Incorporate daily reflection
 Improve internet connectivity
 International teams vs. country teams
 Shorter vs. longer?
Mid-survey and Post-Survey
Overall Value
WHAT DID YOU VALUE MOST ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
EXPERIENCE?
Main themes: personal connections and relationships (7), learning from other
participants (5), connecting with Australian actors (5), learning about work/projects in
other countries (4), problem solving on each other’s projects (3), practical and
applicable skills (2), business models (2)
Post-Survey
Overall Value
WHAT DID YOU VALUE MOST ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
EXPERIENCE?
The nature of practically learning from other participants by getting to know and experience
their approach to doing similar things we are also trying to implement. Also the act of using
case studies in the community to sample how effective theoretical practices can be leveraged
to best be applicable in the local context. Julian did a great job with connecting us with the
local community.
I deeply value all the knowledge and skills provided to us, but the
human connection that we were able to develop with the team was by
far the most valuable asset of them all.
The practicality and applicability of some of the sessions. The examples of
existing businesses and charities given in the business models and strategy
sessions provided a great learning opportunity on various pricing models,
revenue generating streams etc. The visit to Swinburne Design Factory
challenged me to find a way to bring that platform and opportunity back home.
Hearing from the EWB team at FYA also gave me a lot to think about and further
fuelled my interest in impacting universities here at home.
Goals
HOW WOULD YOU CATEGORIZE YOUR MAJOR GOALS FOR THE
NEXT YEAR (SELECT 1-2)?
18
Number of participants
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Grow or strengthen
an existing initiative
Pre-Survey
Launch a new
partnership
Start a new initiative
Influence another
institution's work or
policy
Goals
WHAT ARE 1-3 GOALS OR MILESTONES YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN
THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
…in your current project?
…in your personal
development?
…in your innovation
ecosystem?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Expand/launch new project
(5)
Wrap up current project (3)
Achieve $ sustainability (3)
Grow team (2)
Marketing/branding (2)
New partnerships (2)
Refine business model (2)
Understand impact (2)
Community engagement (2)
Improve sales (1)
Focus strategy (1)
Post-Survey
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reading/learning about design,
innovation, development (4)
Self-care + work-life balance
(4)
Improve communication skills
(3)
Improve teamwork skills (2)
Business-related goals (2)
Patience in conflict (1)
Travel for prof. dev. (1)
Share more stories (1)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Strengthen IDIN
chapter/in-country
network (6)
Launch hub/makerspace
(2)
Approach new partners
(2)
Teach workshops (2)
Learn about systems (1)
Map ecosystem (1)
User feedback (1)
Replicate this fellowship
(1)