DESIGN STRATEGY FOR SMART METERS | ENEL

THE CHALLENGE

Form a product vision and roadmap, for Energy Smart Meters and prove the market opportunity with its first MVP.


Role: Service design Lead Timeframe: 6 months Team: 5 People

SHAPING A “DESIGN-DRIVEN INNOVATION” APPROACH

To tackle this challenge, which has a technological root cause but implications that cannot be outlined by any single area of the business or by our users or customers, we opt for a Design-driven Innovation approach. In academia, this approach is referred to as a way to drive a change of meaning (…of experience, of brand identity…) on top of a technological change.

Thus, we shape our activities to project external trends and stimuli into a shared company-wide perspective.

A SYSTEM MAP TO OUTLINE COMPLEXITY

Our research culminated in a comprehensive System Map, portraying the intricate flow of information, finances, products, and services. This map laid the groundwork for both Trend Analysis and Creative Problem Framing. By segmenting the map, we conducted trend research spanning Smart Metered landscapes and other industries. Subsequently, we devised region-specific creative challenges, fueling diverse responses in co-creation workshops.

CREATIVE PROBLEM FRAMING AND CO-CREATION WORKSHOPS

These collaborative concepts were refined during senior leadership co-creative sessions, fostering innovative solutions. Our approach involves shaping progressive visions that draw from emerging patterns, and delineating goals across short, medium, and long terms. The technological vs. meaning change matrix, balancing immediate feasibility with transformative potential, guides our step-by-step program.

ENVISIONING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Through storytelling and video creation, we emphasize the human impact of ideas to a broader business audience, conveying positivity without overwhelming teams. Key concepts tied to market segments become human-centered scenes in an internally produced video.

SELECTING THE FIRST MARKET TEST

Our roadmap meticulously outlines Epics through the definition of Solution Cards and translates ideas into actionable initiatives. This includes impact assessment and Maturity level. By mapping interdependencies, we ensure a well-coordinated execution strategy, and we’re able to select the first concept to launch as a Market test: the Ore Free product.

THE OUTCOME

This initiative has formulated a comprehensive long-term vision and roadmap, with the initial phase successfully executed through the launch of the Ore Free↗ offer.

Notably, this product boasts a remarkable -6% churn rate compared to other Enel offers.