Teaching Material

Navigating complexity with the Innovation North Compass

Executive Education, Master, PhD

Digital canvas

Innovation Management

> 4h

Innovation North

Learn moreLearn more

Review this material

ge0624608ed21e558ba95c0427dbba98b2f69247af0590e448d4c0bedb4b96b6affa256ea934eb6ca8c1cc201885a096490e50522ea5f3ff4c101206266e827a3_1280-4022840

Summary

The Compass Worksheets by Innovation North are a structured toolkit designed to help teams and organizations tackle complex systems problems. The worksheets use the metaphor of a compass (and the practice of wayfinding) to guide users through uncertainty, surface hidden constraints, and generate more creative, actionable solutions.

Relevant SDGs

How to use

Using the Compass means treating it as a guided process rather than a checklist. The worksheets are arranged in stages, moving from clarifying purpose, to exploring the problem, to generating ideas, and finally to planning actions. While the flow provides structure, it’s not rigid: you’re expected to revisit earlier steps as your understanding deepens. The value lies in using the tool collaboratively, since its structure sparks dialogue, surfaces different perspectives, and creates shared understanding. By working through the stages together, teams can make sense of complexity, find patterns, and align on clear next steps, while staying connected to the bigger picture.

Teaching format tip

Digital canvas

Establish collaborative frameworks for shared creation and knowledge building. Students should contribute meaningfully while developing digital literacy and collaborative skills. Use digital platforms to extend learning beyond classroom boundaries and encourage creative expression.

More materials about Innovation Management

Icon Domain

Transform: Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Sustainability

Doughnut Economics in practice: Business cases for regenerative and distributive enterprise design

Doughnut Economics Action Lab

Media Resource: Management of Sustainable Development Projects

Bachelor, Master

Université de Genève

Glastonbury Festival: Sustainability and Green Policies

Bachelor, Executive Education, Master, PhD

Glastonbury Festival

Sustainability Meets Management: Learning about Quality

Executive Education, Master

American Society for Quality

More materials around Anticipatory thinking, Problem-solving, Strategy, Systems thinking

Icon Skill Area

Using movement and outdoor spaces to enhance learning

Bachelor, Executive Education, Master, PhD

Times Higher Education

Economics for a changing world

Bachelor, Master

Sustainable Finance Awards: 2025 Global Winners

Executive Education, Master

Global Finance Magazine

Case: Is Responsible Tech Good for Business?

Executive Education, Master

Theodoros Evgeniou, Chris Gray

Food for the planetary health

Bachelor, Executive Education, Master, PhD

EAT-Lancet Commission

More materials around Behavioural learning

Icon Learning Approach

Sustainability Positions Description Library

Executive Education, Master

The Circular Design Guide

Executive Education, Master, PhD

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Guide for Organizing a Climathon

Bachelor, Master, PhD

Office for Climate Education

One-Earth Fashion: A Just Fashion System within Planetary Boundaries

David Hachfeld, Elisabeth Schenk

Climate Careers Map

Executive Education, Master