Focus: Adaptive Innovation Without Rigid Pipelines

Why Rigid Pipelines Fail Innovators

Most innovation tools force you through predetermined steps that don't match reality

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Traditional Pipeline Thinking

Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3 → Done

close Forces you to complete "Ideation" before "Assessment"
close Can't revisit earlier stages without "breaking" the process
close Assumes you know exactly what you need at the start
close Penalizes pivots and new insights discovered mid-process

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Adaptive Focus

Work on what matters now, pivot when needed

check_circle Jump to any focus area based on current needs
check_circle Return to previous areas with new context and insights
check_circle Discover what you need as you work, not before you start
check_circle Pivot freely—your tools support evolution, not just execution

Innovation is discovery. You can't predict every turn, so your process shouldn't force you to.

Why Focus Changes Over Time

Innovation is iterative—what you need today differs from what you'll need tomorrow

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Early Stage: Exploration

You're figuring out the problem and potential solutions

Focus on: Problem definition, solution ideation, broad research

Skip: Detailed claims, final specifications, market entry plans

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Mid Stage: Refinement

You've validated the core concept and need depth

Focus on: Embodiments, technical specs, prior art analysis

Skip: Broad ideation (done), detailed GTM (too early)

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Late Stage: Execution

You're ready to file, launch, or commercialize

Focus on: Claims finalization, market viability, filing strategy

Skip: Basic problem framing (solved), early ideation (complete)

But here's the key: these stages aren't linear. You might discover a new problem during execution and need to circle back to ideation. That's not failure—that's smart iteration.

Innovation Meets Agile Methodology

Software development learned this decades ago. Innovation is finally catching up.

sync Agile Principles

1

Iterative Development

Build, test, learn, repeat—not plan everything upfront

2

Responding to Change

Welcome new insights over following a fixed plan

3

Continuous Delivery

Ship working increments, not wait for perfection

4

Self-Organizing Teams

Decide what to work on based on current needs

integration_instructions How Invent.sg Applies This

1

Sprint-Based Focus

Choose focus areas for this session, change next time

2

Pivot-Friendly Architecture

Revisit any area when new data emerges

3

Incremental Deliverables

Generate useful outputs at every stage, not just at the end

4

You Control the Roadmap

The chatbot suggests, you decide what's next

Waterfall killed innovation tools. Agile brings them back to life.

Invent.sg is built on agile principles: iterate fast, embrace change, deliver value continuously.

Two Ways to Focus Your Innovation

Choose the approach that matches your current stage and needs

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Focus Areas for Ideation

Early-stage exploration and concept development

Target specific aspects of your innovation brief: problem statement, solution description, skills needed, goals, and prior art research.

check Problem Statement Definition

check Invention/Solution Description

check Expert Skills & Approach

check Defining Goals & Objectives

check Researching the Landscape

Explore Ideation Focus Areas arrow_forward

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Focus Areas for Invention

Patent-ready refinement and documentation

Systematically refine six critical aspects of your invention for patent applications: novelty, claims, embodiments, specifications, figures, and market viability.

check Novelty & Prior Art Analysis

check Claims & Scope Definition

check Embodiments & Variations

check Technical Specifications

check Figures & Diagrams

check Market & Commercial Viability

Explore Invention Focus Areas arrow_forward