Hearing user voices in innovation; the role of tools and boundary spaces.

The potential contribution which users can make to innovation is well-documented and there is growing recognition of the important role user innovations play at the front end of innovation. Their contribution is not only in generating new insights and ideas at this early stage but also in enabling smoother and wider diffusion since user-led innovations have a greater likelihood of being compatible with the wider population from which such innovators are drawn. However mobilising user innovation will depend on tools and methods for articulating, capturing and deploying user ideas. This is particularly relevant in sectors like healthcare where users may not perceive themselves as able to participate in the innovation process. This paper draws on an international research study exploring contexts and methods for enabling user engagement and offers an initial typology of tools and methods mapping their potential application and reported effectiveness for enabling co-creation at different stages in the innovation journey from ‘front end’ concept generation through to downstream agile development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]