Discovery, Development, Deployment

A structured approach to health technology innovation

CHC

About our three-stage method

WMHWIN runs structured innovation programmes that connect NHS and healthcare organisations with technology companies who can address their most pressing clinical and operational challenges. Each programme follows the same three-stage method — Discovery, Development, Deployment.

CHC

About our three-stage method

WMHWIN runs structured innovation programmes that connect NHS and healthcare organisations with technology companies who can address their most pressing clinical and operational challenges. Each programme follows the same three-stage method — Discovery, Development, Deployment.

Stage 1: Discovery

Before any innovator is engaged, we work with clinical and operational leads to build a clear, evidence-based picture of the problem and what a credible response to it would need to look like.

1
User-Centred Design

A package to conduct patient and staff research, workflow analysis, and improvement workshops to understand how care is actually delivered — not how it is assumed to work on paper.

 

2
System Design

A piece of work to produce ecosystem maps, and integration planning outputs that identify where a new approach would sit within the existing system and what it would need to connect with.

 

 

3
Service Design

Packages that examine end-to-end service journeys to identify friction, duplication, and opportunity spaces — producing targeted recommendations for how the service could be enhanced before or alongside any technology intervention.

 

4
Stakeholder Alignment

We support change management, communications planning, and early adoption planning to ensure that teams are aligned before Development begins. For innovators, this means entering a structured engagement with informed stakeholders.

5
Challenge Definition

Challenge Definition is always part of innovation programmes and it’s essential to ensure that it is focussed on problem solution fit.

    Stage 2: Development

    Development is where the programme runs. Working from the Discovery outputs, we define the opportunity, source and assess innovators, facilitate structured engagement, and generate the evidence the host organisation needs to make a decision.

    1
    Sourcing and assessing innovators

    We run an open call for innovators, assessed against criteria co-developed with the host organisation. Clinical, and operational leads participate in a documented scoring process — transparent, criteria-led, and defensible. The University of Warwick’s involvement adds independent rigour where it counts.

    2
    Structured Co-design

    Selected innovators engage directly with healthcare stakeholders in a series of co-design workshops. This protects staff time while generating meaningful, comparable evidence.

    3
    Evidence generation

    We agree the evidence framework at the start of the programme, not the end. Outputs might include usability data, workflow measurement, staff feedback, or integration feasibility — whatever the host organisation needs to reach a decision. For innovators, this produces documented clinical performance that carries weight in procurement and investment conversations.

    Stage 3: Deployment

    Deployment is where most innovation programmes quietly stop. We treat it as a distinct stage with defined outputs. The purpose is simple: turn what the programme found into a decision that can be acted on.

    1
    Business case and adoption planning

    We support the host organisation to build a business case grounded in programme evidence, including honest assessment of limitations. ROI modelling draws on real programme data. Adoption planning covers workforce and informatics — so a positive outcome doesn’t stall at implementation.

    2
    Evaluation and knowledge transfer

    Where a formal evaluation is required — for an ICB, funder, or academic partner — we support its design and execution. We also produce structured outputs — case studies, evidence summaries, network connections — that make what was learned available to other organisations facing the same challenge across the West Midlands and beyond.

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    Who the programmes are for

    If you have an approach relevant to an active programme challenge, WMHWIN offers structured access to defined problems, Health care organisation stakeholders, and a documented evidence base for your technology. Programme calls are open and assessed on defined criteria. We are not looking for the most polished pitch — we are looking for the most relevant approach.

    If you have a clinical or operational challenge, a WMHWIN programme offers a structured way to test approaches before committing to a contract. We handle innovator engagement, evidence design, and knowledge transfer. Your contribution is subject matter expertise, and the commitment to act on what the evidence shows. Discovery and Deployment are also available as standalone commissions.

    Programme sponsorship offers substantive engagement with NHS and healthcare decision-makers — not a logo placement. Sponsors are involved in programme design, have access to structured showcasing opportunities, and build direct relationships with host organisations.

    ""

    Who the programmes are for

    If you have an approach relevant to an active programme challenge, WMHWIN offers structured access to defined problems, Health care organisation stakeholders, and a documented evidence base for your technology. Programme calls are open and assessed on defined criteria. We are not looking for the most polished pitch — we are looking for the most relevant approach.

    If you have a clinical or operational challenge, a WMHWIN programme offers a structured way to test approaches before committing to a contract. We handle innovator engagement, evidence design, and knowledge transfer. Your contribution is subject matter expertise, and the commitment to act on what the evidence shows. Discovery and Deployment are also available as standalone commissions.

    Programme sponsorship offers substantive engagement with NHS and healthcare decision-makers — not a logo placement. Sponsors are involved in programme design, have access to structured showcasing opportunities, and build direct relationships with host organisations.