The Six D’s Innovation Cycle

The Six D’s Innovation Cycle provides a simple, repeatable structure for leading organizational improvement. It begins with Dream, where leaders and teams intentionally rediscover areas that can be strengthened or reimagined. This stage invites vision, curiosity, and openness to new possibilities.

Next is Discover, which involves gathering insights, researching best practices, and learning from both internal data and external examples. In the Design phase, teams develop practical solutions or strategies based on what they have learned. These ideas are then Deployed, meaning they are tested in real environments to observe effectiveness.

Following implementation, teams Document outcomes by measuring results, tracking growth, and capturing key learnings. Finally, the process concludes with Debrief, where leaders reflect on what worked, what did not, and what adjustments are needed. This reflection naturally leads back into the next cycle of dreaming, ensuring innovation remains ongoing rather than event-based.

1. Dream

2. Discover

3. Design

4. Deploy

5. Document

6. Debrief