Organizations worldwide are constantly on the lookout for more effective, resourceful, and engaging ways to nurture innovation. One powerful perspective that delivers tangible results is the Solutions Focused approach.

The Solutions Focused approach

Originally developed in a therapeutic context by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in collaboration with their colleagues at the Milwaukee Brief Family Therapy Center beginning in the late 1970s, and adapted for organizational contexts by Mark McKergow and Paul Z Jackson in the early 2000s (as described in the book “The Solutions Focus, Transforming Change for Coaches, Leaders and Consultants”), the Solutions Focused approach prioritizes potential and strengths over problems and weaknesses. It builds on the conviction that becoming expert on what is not working and what is not wanted (the problem) is much less useful than becoming expert on the opposite; what is wanted (instead of the problem) and what is working already that helps.

By guiding individuals and teams toward what works rather than what is broken, Solutions Focus lays a constructive foundation for progress. Solutions Focus practice has been transforming coaching, consulting and leadership in organizations all over the world for more than two decades. Through a powerful yet simple approach to positive change, a Solutions Focus (SF) approach helps you move things forward even in the toughest and apparently most intractable situations.

Below, we will explore why this mindset is vital for modern enterprises and how an SF approach aligns with proven innovation models, including those championed by Innovation360.

Introducing the Solutions Focus approach in organizations

The Solutions Focus approach offers a paradigm shift in organizational development. Unlike traditional problem-solving methods that devote a great deal of energy to diagnosing issues, Solutions Focus flips the script by asking questions such as: What do we want to achieve? Which assets do we already possess? And how can we leverage them to reach our goals? Mark McKergow and Paul Z Jackson adapted these principles from the therapeutic practices developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, commonly known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), to create a resourceful methodology that organizations can adopt at different levels of complexity or scale.

This organizational implementation emphasizes small, meaningful steps over large, unwieldy plans. Instead of dwelling on every detail that might be going wrong, practitioners ask, “What’s already working?” and “How can we do more of it?”. By zeroing in on strengths and desired outcomes, teams remain focused on possibilities rather than pitfalls. The result is a more optimistic, constructive atmosphere where individuals feel more engaged, empowered, and ready to take initiative.

Beyond mindset, Solutions Focus also underscores the importance of collaboration and iteration. Leaders and teams jointly envision their preferred future, identify potential steps to move forward, and celebrate progress, even if it is incremental. In this way, Solutions Focus naturally dovetails with many practices seen in agile methodologies and continuous improvement programs. Ultimately, Solutions Focus can infuse organizations with a forward-looking mentality that paves the way for sustainable innovation.

Today, Solutions Focus is in widespread use by consultants, coaches, facilitators and managers. It can be applied at one-to-one, group or organizational levels. Applications include health and wellbeing, sales and negotiation, team building and leadership, performance management, organizational strategy and even peace-building and climate resilience.

A Solution Focused approach can fuel innovation efforts

Innovation efforts often hinge on how well teams can collaborate, experiment, and pivot as challenges arise. Solutions Focus empowers these processes by aligning with key concepts such as the 3i Process, the Funnel of Ideas, and Business Experiments championed by Innovation360.

First, Solutions Focus nurtures clarity of objectives, a key cornerstone in the 3i Process (Initiate, Ideate, Implement). When teams set out to generate bold ideas, they often become entangled in the labyrinth of potential pitfalls. By employing a Solutions Focus lens, they more readily define what success looks like early on, thereby converting vague ambitions into tangible outcomes. As described by Penker, M., Junermark, P., and Jacobson, S. (2017, “How to Assess and Measure Business Innovation”), crystal-clear targets are crucial for orienting innovation initiatives around measurable results.

Second, Solutions Focus helps teams filter and refine ideas within the Funnel of Ideas. This funnel captures a broad range of concepts, then systematically prioritizes those with the highest potential impact. Under the Solutions Focus approach, rather than dismissing ideas due to perceived constraints, teams ask: “What positive impact could this idea bring?” and “How can we amplify what already works?”. This perspective increases collaboration, speeds up refinement, and maintains a constructive tone in brainstorming sessions.

Finally, Solutions Focus supports the iterative nature of Business Experiments and fosters a spirit of courage. Solutions-oriented innovators view partial failure not as the end of the road, but as an insight into what did work, and a clue about how to do more of it next time. This positive orientation aligns strongly with Industry 4.0 approaches, agile methodologies, and Innovation360’s FIST (experiments) approach, where rapid feedback and incremental learning are paramount. Leaders who adopt Solutions Focus view each experiment as a stepping stone to improvement rather than a do-or-die scenario.

Organizational agility can benefit from a Solutions Focused approach

Agility in organizations is more than just speed; it is about resilience, adaptability, and continual recalibration. Solutions Focus ties elegantly into these traits by providing a robust framework for bridging optimism with action. When faced with market shifts, emergent technologies, or unforeseen disruptions, an organization steeped in Solutions Focus asks, “How can we tap into our existing strengths to navigate these challenges?”

One advantage of Solutions Focus is that it encourages a “can-do” mindset. While problem-centered methods run the risk of draining morale through endless analysis of deficits, Solutions Focus affirms that positive capacity already residing within the team, waiting to be utilized. This empowering stance fosters crowd-sourced, bottom-up innovation, where employees at all levels feel free to propose new projects and solutions.

Moreover, Solutions Focus can integrate seamlessly with existing models of strategic foresight such as PESTLED and Scenario analyses. Instead of perceiving PESTLED (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental, and Demographic) factors as potential blockades, a solutions-focused lens interprets them as areas where current strengths can be applied or adapted. Likewise, scenario-building exercises become more constructive, with an emphasis on identifying and maximizing what works well in different circumstances.

Finally, Solutions Focus aligns closely with the Future Press Release approach, where teams envisage their achievements as though they have already succeeded, then describe how they attained them. By focusing on success rather than setbacks, organizations maintain momentum. This aligns neatly with the spirit of “Innovation by Design: Innovation Management Systems for Global Impact” (Penker, M., Purcell, G., 2024), which underscores the importance of constructive ideation and robust frameworks for channeling creativity into measurable outcomes.

Implementing Solutions Focused approach can drive growth

Turning Solutions Focus principles into everyday practice involves conscious decisions, cultural adjustments, and the intelligent use of innovation tools. To begin, organizations can create an Innovation Task Force dedicated to reframing discussion topics and decision-making from problem-centered to solution-focused. This group can keep track of ongoing initiatives, celebrate milestones, and encourage leadership to articulate their vision in a way that highlights progress already made.

Next, leaders can incorporate Solutions Focus techniques directly into innovation sprints, idea-generation workshops, and daily stand-ups. For instance, rather than opening a meeting by enumerating every obstacle in the path, facilitators can ask participants to outline successful moments from the previous week. This approach, known as “highlighting bright spots,” builds confidence and sets a forward trajectory. Aligning these methods with the 5i Process (Identify, Initiate, Investigate, Implement, and Improve) ensures that strengths-based perspectives are woven throughout the entire innovation journey, from ideation to commercialization.

Additionally, organizations might utilize assessment tools like InnoSurvey® within a Solutions Focus framework. InnoSurvey® provides a data-driven lens for evaluating innovation capability across multiple dimensions, ranging from culture to strategy to idea management. By aligning the results of such assessments with a Solutions Focus, attention can be placed firmly on developing identified areas of strength, making the enhancement process more motivating. As Penker, M., Junermark, P., and Jacobson, S. (2018, “Sustainable Growth and Profits: Managing Your Innovation Strategy, Organization, and Initiatives”) reminds us, leveraging core competencies is crucial to outpacing competition.

To further support this shift, training and accreditation can help practitioners effectively implement these combined methods. For instance, leaders may explore formal programs such as Innovation360’s Professional Innovation Management Accreditation together with training in Solutions Focused Leadership. This will blend a solutions-based perspective with robust innovation management models, offering practical guidance on everything from portfolio management to strategic initiatives.

Finally, to build a deeper understanding and community around these principles, accessible online courses are available at My360 for further study. Using digital platforms, participants can connect with peers, share success stories, and continue to refine their solutions-focused facilitation skills. Many professionals also tap into Innovation360’s Tools and resources for real-time frameworks, augmented analytics, and scenario mapping to accelerate growth.

By systematically integrating Solutions Focus with structured innovation methodologies, organizations create a synergy that propels them toward growth while preserving a human-centric, optimistic culture. In short, Solutions Focus is not meant to replace existing innovation approaches; it serves as an energizing lens that highlights possibilities and accelerates progress.

In conclusion

The Solutions Focus approach, rooted in the pioneering work of Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg and adapted for organizations by Mark McKergow and Paul Z Jackson, brings a potent dose of positivity and resourcefulness to innovation.

Being solutions-focused in innovation doesn’t mean ignoring problems, it means acknowledging them but swiftly moving toward resolution and progress. This approach fuels a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, and breakthrough thinking – all essential for innovation.

By asking what is already working, encouraging incremental gains, and celebrating every stride forward, organizations foster an environment ripe for creativity. Combining Solutions Focus with frameworks such as the 3i Process, the Funnel of Ideas, Business Experiments, and robust assessment tools like InnoSurvey can significantly enhance innovation outcomes. For more insights on bridging Solutions Focus and leading-edge innovation practices, visit Innovation360’s resources and explore the powerful synergy of solutions-oriented thinking in modern enterprise.