Every company wants to innovate, whether by launching a new product, automating processes, or testing emerging technologies. However, innovation, when developed with an unreliable partner, always carries a certain level of risk. A poorly validated project can compromise operations, affect the customer experience, and generate significant costs.
According to a Harvard Business Review study (2023), around 70% of new projects fail before even reaching the market. This happens mainly due to insufficient testing and a lack of solid validation before implementation. And this creates a dilemma: how can businesses implement new ideas without putting the entire operation at risk?
In this scenario, many companies end up falling into one of two extremes:
- Stagnation: The fear of failure leads to sticking with outdated processes and losing competitiveness.
- Excessive risk-taking: Rushing through incomplete validation and suffering operational consequences.
The good news is that there’s a solution, and it lies in creating a safe environment to test, measure, and learn.
Why companies must invest on Innovation
Not trying something new isn’t an option. The market evolves quickly, consumer habits change constantly, and technology keeps redefining business models. In this context, C-level executives and IT directors need to continuously adapt and stay aligned with this pace of transformation.
A PwC report reveals that 84% of executives consider innovation essential for their company’s future growth. However, the same study shows that only 6% are fully satisfied with the results of their current innovation efforts. This gap between intention and execution is where many organizations struggle.
This proves that innovating isn’t just about creating something “cool” or “modern”, it’s about ensuring market relevance. And achieving that requires strategy, planning, and precise execution.
IT staff augmentation as a Safe Space for Innovation
This is where IT team augmentation gains strength. Instead of overloading internal teams with high-risk projects, companies can rely on specialized teams to lead new initiatives, run proofs of concept (POCs), and validate hypotheses in a structured way.
Here’s how it works:
- The company keeps its focus on core operations, avoiding unnecessary strain on internal resources.
- The outsourced team acts as an innovation lab, leveraging agile methodologies, clear metrics, and fast deliveries.
- Risks are isolated and controlled because testing occurs in a separate environment, supported by technical oversight, AI-driven tools, and proper documentation.
A Deloitte survey found that 57% of companies using outsourcing for innovation projects reduce their validation timelines by up to 40% and significantly increase pilot success rates.
This works because external teams bring hands-on experience, access to cutting-edge technologies, and an unbiased perspective on what truly works. In essence, it’s like having an innovation sandbox without putting the core business at risk.
From POCs to Deploy
Innovating safely doesn’t mean just testing. It means creating a structured process that leads to reliable, scalable, and high-quality deliveries.
Here’s the process:
- Quick validation: The idea is tested within a reduced scope, without disrupting ongoing operations.
- Complete validation: With the support of AI-powered tools, companies can map out all possible scenarios, not just the most common system uses.
- Data-driven analysis: Clear, measurable results indicate whether it’s worth investing additional resources.
- Safe scalability: Only after proving the solution’s effectiveness is it integrated into full operations.
According to a McKinsey study, companies that follow this structured approach are up to three times more likely to succeed in digital transformation projects.
The key advantage is business continuity. Operations remain stable, customers stay served, and innovation keeps moving forward.
For 18 years, NextAge has been helping companies navigate this path, driving digital transformation, with expertise and confidence. Get in touch with our specialists and discover how we can help your business innovate securely.
