Our three innovation courses

Innovation Essentials

A seven-day agile sprint for aspiring Defence innovators. To begin your innovation journey you will learn fundamental innovation theory and build a toolkit of skills. Learn to understand the problem, pinpoint the challenges you can solve, and scale viable solutions in your context. Hear from leading experts in Defence and industry, and apply your learning through case studies. Connect with innovators from across Defence to build your innovation network.

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Innovation in Practice

An applied course for Defence innovators seeking to develop and scale their ideas. Whether your problem area is focused on disruptive, cutting-edge technologies, or tackling an everyday process, system or practice, this course will enable you to apply innovation methodologies to take your ideas through to impact. During the course, you will define and select a problem from your context to apply all the innovation techniques learned.

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Strategic Innovation

An in-person, collaborative and dynamic course that brings together leaders from across Defence. The course is designed to explore the spectrum of innovation – from the big 'I' innovations that redefine our capabilities to the small 'i' innovations that enhance our day-to-day operations. You will learn from experts spanning a range of disciplines, engage in deliberative case study discussions, and hone your leadership skills through executive mentoring.

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Innovation
Essentials

Course objectives

1. Understand the MOD innovation ecosystem and its objectives, exploring its relevance to your daily work

2. Learn and apply user-centred design methods to MOD case studies

3. Review and analyse case studies of successful and failed technology exploitation in the MOD to enhance your own practices

4. Collaborate with peers to discuss and solve real-world MOD challenges using innovative approaches.

Who this course is for

The course is open to anyone in Defence, regardless of rank, service or department. If you are curious about innovation and how it can be applied in the MOD context, this is the course for you. The course will be held on a rank-blind basis.

Course length

Seven full-time learning days, including online sessions and in-person launch and graduation events.

Mode of delivery

Graduation requirements

Attend at a minimum 5/7 of the learning days
‍
Produce and deliver a presentation at the end of the course

Applications are Now Full

To register your interest in our future programmes, click the box below and complete the form:

Find out more

25 November & 2 December 2022

To get in touch with us, email psthelpdesk@public.io. We’d love to hear from you!

Innovation in Practice

Course objectives

1. Identify a problem from your own context, define its scope through user research approaches and draw meaningful insights through modern analysis techniques

2. Apply a range of ideation techniques to discover, design, prototype and test an effective solution to the problem

3. Refine your value proposition and build a business case to support the development of the solution

4. Learn the art of storytelling to effectively communicate your journey, creating a compelling pitch to sell your idea

Who this course is for

The course is open to anyone in Defence, regardless of rank, service or department. If you have already identified some knotty innovation challenges you want to engage with, this is the course for you. Prior innovation training is welcome but not required for enrolment. The course will be held on a rank-agnostic basis.

Course length

12 full-time learning days, with 3 additional days of independent learning required. The course will be spread across two months so that participants can progress their project.

Mode of delivery

Learn through collaborative, online workshops via Microsoft Teams. Complete independent learning on our learning platform, The Lab. Engage with expert panels, keynote speeches and networking opportunities during our in-person events. Take your ideas to the next level with our hackathon event. Receive personal project guidance through our mentoring programme.

Graduation requirements

Attend at a minimum 10/12 of the learning days

Produce and deliver a presentation at the end of the course

Applications are Now Full

To register your interest in our future programmes, click the box below and complete the form:

Find out more

25 November & 2 December 2022

To get in touch with us, email psthelpdesk@public.io. We’d love to hear from you!

Strategic Innovation

Course objectives

1. Unpack Defence's unique innovation challenges and opportunities

2. Explore the role of culture, behaviours, structures and processes, spaces, and partnerships in enabling innovation

3. Develop skills in scenario planning, behavioural strategy, persuasion and storytelling, and how to be more experimentally-driven

4. Use many practical tools that will help you drive meaningful action in your role

Who this course is for

This course is designed for MOD leaders seeking to advance and champion Defence’s wider innovation mission. You could be a leader of a small team or a senior budget holder. If you want to develop your strategic ability to lead innovation in your teams and across the MOD, this is the course for you.

Course length

5 full-time learning days spread across five months.

Mode of deilvery

All learning days will be held in person in London. Learn through interactive case studies to contextualise innovation theory. Receive executive-level coaching from individually-matched innovators.

Graduation requirements

Attend at a minimum 4/5 of the learning days

Applications are Now Full

To register your interest in our future programmes, click the box below and complete the form:

Find out more

25 November & 2 December 2022

To get in touch with us, email psthelpdesk@public.io. We’d love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which course should I choose?

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If you have little experience in innovation projects, and you're keen to learn more about the innovation process, Innovation Essentials is where you should start.

If you have already identified a Defence challenge you'd like to tackle through an innovation project, Innovation in Practice is for you.

If you're a Defence leader, looking to enable your teams for innovation success, Strategic Innovation is the course for you.

Can I apply for more than one course?

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Yes. Feel free to apply for multiple courses and select each cohort you are able to attend to maximise your chance of gaining a place on the course.

Are the courses free?

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All courses are free for Defence staff, aside from travel and accommodation costs, which might be covered by your unit upon request. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided free of charge at all in-person learning days.

Are the courses accredited?

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These courses are not formally accredited, however, you will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

How much time do I need to devote to the course?

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Innovation Essentials has a total of 7 full-time learning days. All independent study requirements are built into these 7 days.

Innovation in Practice has a total of 12 full-time learning days. Additional to this, approximately 3 full days of independent study are required in the period between the two halves of the course.

Strategic Innovation has a total of 5 full-time, in-person learning days - 1 day per month, spread over five months. An additional 2-4 hours of independent study is required per month for the duration of the course.

Innovation in Defence