The Forrester Wave™: Innovation Consulting Services, Q2 2026
AI has become the central force reshaping how companies conceive, build, and scale innovation. Organizations are moving from episodic AI experimentation to continuous, AI-enabled innovation systems that deliver measurable outcomes while navigating complexity around governance, talent, and execution. Leading innovation consulting providers distinguish themselves by integrating AI into the core of their innovation methods, helping clients make strategic choices about where to play, and redesigning operating models required to sustain AI-driven innovation at scale. The market now demands providers that can institutionalize innovation as a repeatable, AI-powered capability aligned to business strategy.
No common features specified.
Vendors must, among other requirements:
A: This research evaluates the top 10 innovation consulting services providers based on their current offerings, strategy, and customer feedback. It focuses on how providers help organizations move from traditional stage-gate processes to AI-powered innovation systems that deliver measurable outcomes while navigating complexity around governance, talent, and execution.
A: This research should be used by organizations seeking to select an innovation consulting services provider that can help them: accelerate innovation with AI, articulate organization-specific innovation strategies aligned with business goals, and reimagine operating models for AI-driven innovation. It serves as a starting point for evaluating providers based on specific organizational priorities and can be adapted using Forrester's interactive provider comparison experience.
A: To be included in this evaluation, innovation consulting providers must have: 1) A dedicated, standalone practice area for innovation consulting that is actively marketed and sold independently; 2) Comprehensive, enterprise-level capabilities supporting full end-to-end innovation consulting across different innovation categories, horizons, and industry sectors; 3) Demonstrated experience with at least 50 completed projects and more than $10 million in innovation services revenue in the past 12 months; and 4) Significant mindshare among Forrester's enterprise clients and recognition from industry peers as a competitive provider in this space.
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A: Strength of Offering evaluates a vendor's current capabilities and execution across innovation consulting services, including their ability to deliver across innovation lifecycles, innovation types (digital/physical products, services, business models, process), AI integration into innovation workflows, organizational design, and supporting assets like accelerators, data, and labs. Strength of Strategy assesses a vendor's forward-looking vision for the market, their investments in innovation and R&D, ecosystem partnerships, pricing models, complementary service offerings, and talent development strategies that will position them for future success.