Doing different inside one of the largest energy companies in the US
As a 119-year-old public utility, DTE had an ongoing commitment to foster innovation within their culture. Hence the rally cry, “Do Different.” However, strategically driving innovation throughout the enterprise required new skillsets, methodologies, and processes they didn’t have. Following the mutual success of the Insight program, which “did different” to invent the nation’s most successful energy optimization platform, resulting in the joint venture spin-off Powerley, DTE knew Launch by NTT DATA was their go-to partner as they began operationalizing their innovation program.
Launch by NTT DATA led the design, build, launch, and operation of DTE’s innovation center of excellence as an embedded partner alongside DTE’s internal teams. Since the founding in 2016, we implemented a disciplined identification and evaluation process, a structured operational delivery program, a managed pipeline and portfolio, a custom brand and suite of marketing tools, and an effective implementation protocol to ensure long-term support and a recognized return on investment. Launch by NTT DATA continues to be a long-term strategic innovation partner at DTE.
Goals:
- Establish an innovation program, pipeline, & portfolio
- Apply proven technology to deliver real business value
- Challenge the status quo & create a culture of innovation
Innovation Operating System
Launch by NTT DATA’s embedded Innovation Operating System (OS) reduces friction and risk by including enterprise-integrated pipeline and portfolio management systems, executive dashboards, and P&L management. Specialized tools and methods incorporate design thinking, quantified rankings, project-level reporting, and other techniques to help DTE sense, experiment, operationalize, and scale new, novel, and valuable ideas.
6x
215+
$604M
Customized co-created mission, vision, and values
Every culture is different. To help our clients aim with precision, Launch by NTT DATA customizes programs that align vision and culture, streamline paths to profit, balance the best from external and internal skills sets, and continuously fuel long-term growth. The program's strength is exemplified by its ability to work under different management and conditions.
Access to skills and competency
Blending internal and external teams allows for healthy cross-team dynamics, rapid responses, flexibility, and impact on culture. Design and engineering pools help rapidly adjust to the right skills at the right time with the ability to experiment, build, and learn.
Access to proven and disruptive technologies
Together as partners, we help our customers deliver what they dream, ultimately closing their innovation-execution gap. Launch by NTT DATA provides access to proven and disruptive technologies and experts to help organizations realize their vision by purposefully experimenting and innovating in a safe environment. Our team ensures innovation is actionable. By providing a clear structure and process, we enable teams to bring ideas forward and then apply the right technology to fit their needs.
Executive marketing, communications, and change management
Leveraging our pool of expert designers, communicators, and developers, Launch by NTT DATA brought the DTE Innovation program to life through the creation of custom branding, marketing materials, and a dedicated innovation website. The innovation website provides a one-stop shop for DTE employees to engage with all things innovation, and learn more about how the Innovation Team can help them solve their toughest challenges.
Embedded rapid response team
DTE’s ability to rapidly respond to shifting dynamics is a by-product of their long-term commitment and investment in an enterprise innovation program. Maintaining an awareness of organizational goals, priorities, and impact within Launch by NTT DATA’s managed innovation program provides unprecedented tools, tactics, and talent to tackle well-planned, long-range strategic activities, and the ability to successfully pivot in unexpected situations.
Calculating the value of innovation - Value Infusion Methodology
The Value Infusion Methodology™, created by Launch by NTT DATA, brings clarity to the business value of Innovation. It is a pressure-tested process that has been implemented at Fortune 500 companies and is a system to help partners define and quantify the impact of innovation activities on their business. It is guided by standard calculations provided by the respective organization’s Business Partners and Finance department and involves iterative calculations as more information is gathered throughout the innovation process, culminating in a final, business and finance-approved calculation.
