Innovation

Unbounded Thinking developed the Human-Centred Innovation Management (HCIM) framework to redefine how organizations approach innovation. The process begins with an Innovation Readiness Assessment, a 30-question diagnostic that measures an organization’s innovation, categorizing it as Random, Reactive, Situational, or Organizational. The results of this questionnaire helps to identify areas needing development.

Next, the Innovation Blueprint examines a businesses current capacity to innovate and where it can be built upon further by looking at the factors: purpose, processes, people, capacity, skills, and existing capabilities. The system is then supported by Unbounded Thinking’s Idea Management Software, enabling companies to capture, prioritize, assign, and predict return on investment (ROI) on new ideas.

Born from the founder’s experience, Unbounded Thinking and HCIM emerged after witnessing employees’ ideas being dismissed. The founder, Shannon, saw that a culture without structured idea management leads to missed opportunities and disengaged employees. If ideas aren’t taken seriously, innovation is halted. As Tristan explained, “Without adoption, there is no innovation — then it’s just invention.”

Unbounded Thinking’s work spans industries and borders. Their recent partnership with the Knowledge Club in Kuwait and collaboration with an oil and gas company in Oman mark milestones in applying this framework globally.

Inspiration

The spark behind Unbounded Thinking and the HCIM came from a simple yet powerful moment. While working at PCL Construction, the founder observed an employee suggesting a small and seemingly simple operational improvement, a better way to store coffee creamers. Leadership dismissed the idea as irrelevant, leaving the employee discouraged. Shannon realized, “This person will never again suggest an idea. Even if they had a billion-dollar one, they’d stay silent.” It opened his eyes to see how important idea recognition is, no matter big or small it may seem. 

That moment inspired the question: How many innovative ideas are lost simply because organizations lack systems to manage them?

The founder began exploring how innovation could move beyond a corporate buzzword and become something practical, measurable, and, most importantly, inclusive. Influenced by ISO 56,000 innovation management standards and human-centred design principles, Unbounded Thinking’s mission became clear; to build frameworks that value every idea, make them purposeful, and transform the organizational culture as to how ideas are dealt with. 

As Tristan summarized, “We exist to make innovation purposeful, to help organizations adapt, learn, and keep their doors open.”

Overall impact

Unbounded Thinking’s impact extends far beyond individual businesses. Through their partnership with the Town of Cochrane, Alberta, they implemented a Community Innovation Ecosystem Program that helped local businesses develop systems to capture and act on new ideas. Now, in its third year, the program has led to measurable growth.

A clear example is a construction company they had consulted with. The construction company projected a $500,000 revenue increase in the following year, directly linked to innovations developed through Unbounded Thinking’s framework. Other businesses reported greater time efficiency, improved staff management, and higher capacity for experimentation.

Beyond financial metrics, community outcomes are equally profound. The Cochrane initiative showed significant increases in local collaborations and partnerships. Businesses began sharing knowledge and creating new community outreach opportunities, building a culture of shared intelligence and innovation. 

Most importantly, the impact also extends to the individual employees. Their voices are being heard, acknowledged, and ideas are acted upon and taken seriously. This helps with the overall dynamic in the work force, giving employees the confidence and recognition needed to spark more ideas and thus, innovation. 

As Tristan reflected, “These organizations aren’t just keeping their doors open, they’re learning how to contribute more to their communities.”

Business benefit

Because Unbounded Thinking created the Human-Centred Innovation Management (HCIM) system, organizations now have a clear framework to transform scattered ideas into measurable business outcomes. Through their structured assessments and blueprints, businesses gain the ability to capture, prioritize, and act on innovation in a way that directly supports growth and adaptability.

For example, businesses that integrate HCIM experience improved staff retention and morale. When employees feel their voices matter, engagement rises, turnover drops, and as a result, productivity increases. Others reported greater time efficiency, reduced staff turnover, and more empowered teams. As Tristan explained, “If people feel heard, they stay. They find fulfillment in their roles and see meaning in what they do.”. 

One construction company projected a $500,000 increase in annual revenue, attributing this growth to the efficiencies and new opportunities created through structured idea testing and building. As Tristan explained, “Helping organizations manage ideas gives them back time and energy to focus on what matters — growing, experimenting, and staying open.”

The company’s own growth mirrors that of its clients. By emphasizing human-centred systems, Unbounded Thinking has opened new markets and international partnerships — most recently being headhunted by the Knowledge Club in Kuwait and invited to collaborate with an oil and gas company in Oman. These projects have positioned the firm as a global leader in innovation management.

Ultimately, HCIM benefits businesses by future-proofing their operations, improving employee satisfaction, and creating sustainable frameworks for growth. As Tristan summarized, “Being able to manage ideas and solve problems means a business has all the tools necessary to thrive in a changing landscape.”

Social and environmental benefit

Unbounded Thinking using HCIM fosters inclusive innovation ecosystems, ensuring that creative ideas are not limited to executives or large corporations. By giving every employee a voice, the model strengthens community economies and promotes equitable participation — supporting SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Socially, Unbounded Thinking’s work cultivates collective intelligence — the shared creativity of individuals who contribute to community and business growth. Environmentally, the same systems that capture ideas for business improvement can also track and implement sustainability initiatives. As Tristan explained, “If a business wants to reduce its carbon footprint or be more sustainable, now they have a system to manage those ideas.”

Ultimately, this innovation creates ripples of empowerment, from individual employees to global organizations, enabling sustainable development through human-centred change.

Interview

Tristan Ham, Director of Entrepreneurship