Fail forward: Mitigating failure in energy research and innovation

Almost three quarters of all innovation projects disappoint or fail. Instead of 'wasting' human and financial resources on energy projects that end up being terminated or ineffectual, this study offers a potential antidote coined the 'Origins of Failure in Energy Innovation' (OFEI) model. Based on participant observation and empirical field research in three case companies, the OFEI model is developed to identify inappropriate behaviors that cause energy research and innovation to fail. The OFEI model can be used to give failed (or failing) projects a second chance and the article concludes that identifying and mitigating individual and collective misbehaviors are needed throughout the entire innovation process. If the level of ambition is not reached, then project owners should identify, analyze, and mitigate misfit(s) in their projects - and try again. For all intents and purposes, they need to fail forward.