Unfortunately, some organizations tend to devalue upfront planning and analysis, opting for the ever-popular but oh so short-sighted "ready, fire, aim" approach.  I'm not suggesting that organizations strive for perfection as they plan for and implement their Innovation Systems. Quite the contrary. But there is a balance to strike and that "right balance" includes a Readiness Assessment. 

In Innovation Commitment - It Takes a Community, I shared three key roles that are both pivotal and complementary to the Change Leader Triathlete's crusade — Change Influencers, Change Champions and Change Implementers. While many community members will step into the implementer's role, only a small group (comparatively speaking) will fulfill influencing and championing responsibilities.

Not all organizations and cultures are created equal. Just because organizational leaders proclaim "We will innovate or else!", doesn't mean that innovation models, systems and labs will take flight and soar. Unfortunately many organizations cut corners during their initial "let's become an innovative organization" planning phase, where essential impact and readiness assessments and their accompanying mitigation strategies, are oftentimes overlooked. When we gloss over this work, we run the risk of developing misguided and half-baked transformational plans that ultimately cripple our innovation efforts, progress and outcomes.