1. Introduction

We designed and implemented a digital innovation platform that accelerated the deployment of new solutions at Roche.

What is the digital innovation platform created for Roche?

It is a personalized system where employees can easily report emerging issues, and the entire team can assess their importance and propose solutions. Managers receive real-time data, moderation options, and tools for analysis and decision-making. The comprehensive platform includes a mobile application, data strategy, clear dashboards, a control panel, and an application server.

The core of the system is the mobile application, but it is only one of five elements, each playing a crucial role in terms of efficiency:

Digital Innovation Platform — a comprehensive system designed for Roche.

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About the Roche brand

Roche is a Swiss pharmaceutical company with an international presence, providing professional healthcare solutions.  

2. Problems

The need for faster implementation of new solutions

Roche could not afford such a state of affairs due to the industry in which it operates. A pharmaceutical company, in order to maintain a strong position, must constantly discover and implement new, effective solutions. The company’s collaboration with the academic and medical communities should generate creative ideas, bold solutions, and a readiness for efficient innovation implementation.

3. Goal

Creation of a comprehensive system enabling Roche to efficiently implement innovations

We had to create a solution that would allow employees to quickly and conveniently report any difficulties, problems, and challenges they encountered during their work. Additionally, the system had to include real-time data analysis and enable an efficient way to prioritize reports and find the best solutions.

4. Solution

Development of a digital innovation platform for Roche

After a thorough assessment of the needs, which resulted from workshops with the client and close collaboration throughout the project, we developed a digital innovation platform that effectively addresses Roche’s challenges.

Operating scheme of the Digital Innovation Platform

Problem identification and quick submission of reports by employees

Mobile application

Voting by the rest of the team 


Mobile application

Real-time data analysis


Data strategy / Dashboards

Moderation and security

Admin panel

System maintenance

Backend

Quick Identification — Optimal Choice — Effective implementation of initiatives

Main functions of the comprehensive system:

An intuitive way for anyone in the organization to report a problem using the ‘create a challenge’ option, encouraging the presentation of needs and challenges — immediately upon noticing them

Gathering hundreds of new ideas in one place, submitted by company employees

Effective selection of the most important topics, based on voting in the mobile app conducted by the company team

Access to data that allows managers to make informed decisions about proposed solutions

Moderation 

Security

System maintenance

System Components

The digital innovation platform is organized into four key components, each fulfilling specific functions to ensure the desired results:

Mobile application

Mobile application

Being the center of user interactions. Intuitive and easy to use, it encourages engagement whenever a problem arises — a situation that requires reporting.

We have incorporated best UX/UI practices to ensure users can easily find what they are looking for, without any complications.

Admin Panel

The company, through the new system, inherently invites participants to report challenges. In such open communication, information management plays a crucial role.
Therefore, to ensure the solution remains a tool for growth rather than a source of crisis, we have implemented a range of security measures, along with the option to moderate app content, manage users, roles, and permissions.

Data Management Strategy and Clear Dashboards

Simply collecting data does not yet bring the expected value. Only the ability to easily analyze it for quick insights can be truly effective.

We developed a data management strategy tailored to the client’s needs. We introduced functional, clear dashboards that allow the reading of key indicators — in real time.

Additionally, the client could monitor app usage, ensuring continuous improvement and scaling of the digital platform.

Server Infrastructure

We designed it to be scalable and resilient to various types of issues. Thanks to this, the entire system is not only stable but also ready for growth as the client’s needs expand.

Benefits of the Digital Innovation Platform

A comprehensive solution fully addressing Roche’s needs

A systematic approach at every stage: from identifying challenges, submitting initiatives, to data analysis, moderation, security, and maintenance

Rapid implementation of the solution — within just 3 weeks, with the option for further development of additional features

5. Process

Close Collaboration Between Technology and Business

At Digital Forms, every solution we create is developed in close collaboration with our client. While we possess the necessary expertise, cutting-edge technological capabilities, and years of business experience, it is the client who holds the most insight into their industry environment.

Each project is a partnership, which forms the foundation of the entire project’s success. In this case as well, the exchange of resources—technological knowledge and industry expertise—enabled us to design a tool that provides real support for Roche.    

1. 

   1

   Workshops

   We began by thoroughly identifying the company’s needs through product workshops. These were conducted in a way that allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the business, its operating context, the challenges it faces, and the true needs we were tasked with addressing.

2. 

   2

   System Assumptions

   As a result of the workshops, we gained the insights needed to design an effective platform.
   

   We knew that the company could generate far more new solutions if it involved its entire team in the process.

   Tapping into the experience and daily challenges of all employees provides an excellent foundation for rapidly introducing new solutions. All that was needed was to allow people to submit information immediately—at the moment they noticed the need for a change or improvement. 
   
   It was crucial to ensure the highest possible ease and fluidity in reporting difficult situations, unresolved problems, emerging gaps and opportunities, or necessary improvements—so that no one would have to delay submitting a report. After all, the goal was to implement innovations quickly, and time played a key role.  
   
   The challenge was to design a solution that could efficiently handle thousands of submissions. The system not only needed to process new challenges smoothly but also present them clearly to others, enabling feedback, voting, and the sharing of ideas for solutions. 
   
   The platform had to aggregate data while allowing for smooth analysis and insights, ultimately enabling informed decision-making.
   
3. 
   3

   UX Workshops

   For an application used by thousands of employees, meticulous attention to User Experience (UX) Design is essential. Such a solution must be highly intuitive. We wanted to ensure exceptional ease of use for the users, especially considering that many of them access the app while working, often in a hurry, with no time for complications. Therefore, we conducted UX workshops that allowed us to refine the design to a highly intuitive level.
4. 
   4

   System Development

   We began the project by creating a comprehensive system aimed at building a robust platform for managing users and ideas.
   This backend system formed the foundation of Roche’s innovation ecosystem. It enabled seamless data collection and provided the necessary tools for efficient idea management.
5. 
   5

   Implementation Plan

   Our many years of experience working with businesses clearly show that designing a great solution is not enough. It is equally important to create the right environment for the team, so that everyone fully understands the purpose and functionality of the new system, as well as the development plan for the new tool. 
   
   We delivered the first working prototype in just 3 weeks! We designed it according to the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) principle, meaning we developed and released an initial version, which we then expanded with additional features in subsequent stages. At the same time, we ensured clear communication, so the team knew exactly what the next phases of work would be. 
   
   This approach allowed us to avoid lengthy waits for the final result. It enabled the team to start using the application much sooner, utilizing its basic functions and features. The subsequent changes were much more valuable, as they were based on feedback gathered after the initial use of the mobile application. 

6. Effect

An increase to 1,200 initiatives per year from 100

Twelvefold increase in user-submitted initiatives: from 100 to 1,200 annually

Reduction in innovation implementation time at Roche

Strengthening the image of a dynamic and innovative organization

Profit growth,

Strengthening Employer Branding

Digital transformation not only boosts the efficiency of individual processes but also serves as a powerful tool affecting various areas. The key is selecting the right ones, tailored to the specific company. A personalized digital transformation directly translates into improved key business metrics.