You know what works: you’ve learned the methods, read the books, run the workshops. Yet innovation still stalls—not because you’re doing it wrong, but because budgets disappear, managers defend turf, leadership says “yes” but means “no,” and projects quietly die. You carry responsibility without decision authority. That’s exactly what the Innovated by Design Community of Practice helps you change.
DOWNLOAD PROGRAMDuration: 6 Days
Starts: October 23, 2026
Location: De Krook Ghent
Fee: € 4950
Language: Dutch
For innovation, product, or project managers in mid-to-large organizations who drive change without final decision authority. You’ve done the frameworks—design thinking, canvases, workshops—but projects still stall on politics, budget, and blockers. Join peers with real wins and failures to strengthen your mandate.
Turn innovation know‑how into real decision power. In six hands‑on workshops you’ll diagnose blockers, map stakeholders, validate assumptions with research and prototypes, reshape your business model, and prove impact with limited evidence—then pitch with confidence. Monthly coaching and peer reviews keep your case moving.
Across six workshops, you’ll build a real change case into a persuasive business case. Expect a practical playbook: stakeholder map, design thinking steps, business model patterns, impact goals and metrics. Between monthly sessions, you’ll get online coaching to keep progress on track.
DAY 1 | 23|10|26
HOW TO CREAT VALUE WITH INNOVATION
Innovation spans everything from operational improvements to disruption. We define it as creating value and staying relevant. Use the EPIC Design Maturity Assessment to map maturity, mandate, supporters, and blockers—then leave with a clear challenge brief.
DAY 2 | 20|11|26
KNOW WHO YOU WORK FOR WITH DESIGN THINKING
The biggest innovation blocker isn’t lack of ideas, but too many assumptions. Decisions come from chatter, data, and what leaders think customers want. Learn to break this with research and design thinking; leave with a plan.
DAY 3 | 18|12|26
PROTOTYPE AND TEST YOUR BUSINESS CASE
You don’t build a convincing business case on assumptions, but on evidence gathered through the right prototypes at the right time. A working demo convinces a CFO faster than forty slides. Prototyping is a process: what proof is needed next, and fastest?
DAY 4 | 15|01|27
INNOVATE YOUR BUSINESS MODEL
It’s the business model, stupid: Netflix, Spotify and Revolut transformed industries by changing how value is created, not by inventing new tech. Redefine your business model to create more customer and organizational value, leaving with a tailored canvas and stakeholder narrative.
DAY 5 | 19|02|27
PROVING IMPACT WITH LIMITED EVIDENCE
Organizations fund innovation based on expected impact, not proven results—so you must clearly articulate, substantiate, and defend impact early, with limited evidence. You’ll learn to define impact rigorously (output vs outcome vs impact) and tailor the narrative to stakeholders, from users to boards.
DAY 6 | 19|03|27
PRESENT AND DEFEND YOUR FINAL PITCH
This isn’t a recap of what you learned—it’s a real defense. Throughout the day you’ll get practical pitch frameworks and 1:1 coaching. Each participant presents their challenge and approach to a group that pushes higher standards: no sympathy, just tough prep for boards. 15 minutes pitching, 10 minutes hard feedback.
Evelien Neirynck is service designer and partner at Twisted Studio
Sarah Boone is professor Entrepreneurschip and Innovation at Ghent University and Associate partner at Decimal Health
Jan Van Caneghem is a lecturer digital strategy and innovation and design thinking at Artevelde University of Applied Science
The Community of Practice Innovated by Design goes beyond the six workshop days. Each session produces a case deliverable: a concrete document or plan you apply directly to your own challenge. Two weeks after every session, two peers from the group review your deliverable and provide feedback—this is a built-in, non-optional part of the program.
Continuous learning ecosystem
In addition to the in-person cohort, you receive one year of access to the international Innovated by Design online community, with weekly webinars, topic-based challenges, and a direct line to peers facing similar issues across industries and countries. The dedicated subgroup for in-person participants keeps cases alive between sessions.
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