The Ramjet Methodology has been designed to provide a framework for all forms of innovation and to cover the total process, from initial motivation to do something all the way through to profit delivery.

The methodology's development was driven by our view that none of the available models of innovation reflect what really goes on to achieve breakthrough innovations, and the lack of attention to the early stages where most of the value is created. With more than 50 patent applications at various stages, and more than 20 granted to date, we believe that we have the insight necessary to define such a model.

By using a 3-Dimensional model of the process, we believe that RamJet more accurately represents the journey through the innovation activity. For simplicity we have defined 6 main phases. Within each phase we have identified a 6-stage repetitive process that creates new insights. Rather than considering this as a circular activity, the RamJet model adds time and the amount of information in the project, to create a swelling helix. Initially the rate of generation is slow, as the team gathers pace, and later on the rate of ideation slows again, resulting in the bell shape shown.

The innovation process does not exist in isolation. Negative influences can restrain or "choke" creativity, whilst external inputs can increase it and add more knowledge. Negative and positive effects must be correctly managed within the project. If the chokes are removed too quickly, for example, the cultural impact can create disruption and resentment. If too many poorly focused external inputs are allowed, it becomes hard to understand and assimilate the information, so it does not get used.

RamJet's model describes an ideal project. Making a project conform to the ideal model requires effective management of the stages, chokes and inputs, and this is done using the tools within the RamJet Dashboard.

The RamJet Dashboard is applicable to any aspect of an organisation's activity, from blue-sky strategy to cost reduction on ageing products.