SI Methods

Design the Challenge

Futures Table as a component in scenario building

Defining the Challenge with Challenge Map

5W Technique

Scenario-building with backcasting

Empathy Map

Problem Definition

Value Proposition Canvas

KJ Ideation

Idea Rating/Selection

Value Motivation Matrix

Customer Journey

Outcome Harvesting

WHO Framework for setting up a scaling strategy

Social Innovation Canada

TACSI

Field Experiment

Five Configurations for Scaling Up

Levers of a Sustainable City

Social innovation observatory: the case of Florianopolis

Scale up out deep

Most Significan Change

Clutural Probes

Funnel of Experience Sharing

Impact Metrics

Service Blueprint

Social Business Model Canvas

Experience prototype

Desktop Walkthrough

Experiment Canvas

Personas

Pugh Chart

Impact and Feasibility Analysis

Idea Card

HMW

Frameboards

Observation of Context

System Map

PESTEL

People & Connections Map

Ethnographic Interview

Ethnographic Fieldnotes

Context Map Canvas

Source: https://netzerocities.app/resource-4324

Methods to implement social innovation in projects and in cities

Social Innovation Methods

What is Social Innovation for Climate Neutrality?

Understand the System

Relation to The Climate Transition Map

Analyse the Context

In order to design truly meaningful and impactful portfolios of solutions that engage all system actors in the mission, it is fundamental to understand the context, both in ‘hard’ terms – the infrastructure of people, organizations, companies, spaces, norms and regulations, etc. – and ‘soft’ terms – i.e. the practices, routines and beliefs that inform everyday life and the choices we make. This phase explores these contextual factors, their inter-relationship and how they influence the challenge space.

Understand the System + Co-design a Portfolio

Relation to The Climate Transition Map

Reframe the Problem

Complex problems, such as mission challenges, are often experienced and understood in different ways by actors. Translating larger mandates into local contexts and needs requires pooling together different actors to reframe the challenge. The process not only deepens understanding of the challenge, but also provides insight on the current system and how it can be improved, generating several insights for innovation on different time horizons. Sometimes it is helpful to look at the present from the perspective of the future to ensure that what we are doing now will fit into the future we want. These future scenarios and visions also work to include the voice of future generations into the solution-building process.

Co-design a Portfolio + Take Action

Relation to The Climate Transition Map

Envision Alternatives

Solving a challenge can involve generating new ideas, but it can also mean creating new combinations or formations of existing offers. Equipped with a deep understanding of the context and the challenge, the phase is dedicated to generating new ideas based on previous reflection, dialogue and insights of the challenge.

Take Action + Learn & Reflect

Relation to The Climate Transition Map

Prototype & Experiment

Mission challenges are hard to solve because of the highly interconnected and systemic nature of the problems. Testing solutions to complex challenges can often mean creating system-level prototypes that require high investments of time and capital. The tools in this phase are meant to help prototype specific interactions happening at different ‘touchpoints’ or features of the solution, helping to ensure that the solutions are purposefully built around life experience and concrete needs to provide real value. Prototyping also helps reduce risk around innovations by not only attempting to work out problems pre-emptively, but also by creating through doing the knowledge needed to implement the innovation. After prototyping, agile piloting and experimentation can take the solutions a step further.

Make it the New Normal

Relation to The Climate Transition Map

Evaluate & Scale

While evaluation is often thought of as a post-implementation activity, it is useful to know how to evaluate solutions from the beginning to design truly impactful solutions. Measuring impact becomes a strategic asset for understanding effectiveness and knowing what, when and how to adapt the solution for a better fit or to scale the solution for wider impact.