Innovation Management ? Capturing Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Capturing Ideas

The Economist (2003b) states that 3000 bright ideas are needed for 100 worthwhile projects, which in turn will be winnowed down to four development programmes for new products. And four such development programmes are the minimum needed to stand any chance of getting one winner.

From the above it is clear that a large number of good ideas are required before the innovation process can truly begin. Given that the bright ideas themselves would have been chosen from a larger pool of general ideas, the problem becomes one of maximising idea generation before idea selection begins.

All too often idea generation is a conscious process. Leaders will herd people into a room with a flip chart, conduct a "brainstorming" session and state a problem (without deeper analysis) and ask for ideas. However, this shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how ideas occur.

It is true that problem identification results in better output when it is conducted consciously ? i.e. when people pay attention to it. However, once problems a have been addressed and idea generation begins, it is more productive to:

a) Consciously generate ideas. Time limits and incremental goals produce more output than a "do your best" approach.

b) Realise that incubation is valuable. The mind will subconsciously work on problems and, over a period of time, will generate richer solutions than time pressure sometime allows.

Because of b) and the fact that idea generation is a cognitive process, many more ideas are generated by individuals than is appreciated. The task thus becomes one of collecting all the ideas produced. Mundane methods include:

a) Carry around a tape recorder. In one day the author noted more than sixty ideas that popped into his head.

b) Keep paper and pen handy. This is especially useful when an idea has to be expanded into a structure. For example, an idea for a screenplay can be mapped against a framework to produce a step-outline quite rapidly.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/

---

Innovation Management ? moving past the wall

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

The 99 Percent Rule

It's Friday night, you're sitting at a restaurant, and as... Read More

Putting Your Ideas Into Action

Ideas are everywhere. Some are small and seemingly insignificant. Others... Read More

Change Is a Skill Development Learning Process

Change, like almost every other life experience, is a learning... Read More

Techno Witch II - Magick With Your PC

You've heard of applied science, well how about applied Magick.... Read More

Innovation Management ? Ideas From The Most Embarrassing Experiences Of Life

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? Masks and Trance

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Improve Your Business Dealings with Improvisation

"Nothing is accidental ... use everything." -- Keith JohnstoneEven the... Read More

How To Be An Innovator In A World Of Change

Innovators are opportunity-oriented.What's the hidden opportunity in that problem? Where... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

We read in the press about the "War on Drugs"... Read More

Creativity Management ? Theres Nothing New Under the Sun

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Knowledge Gains in Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Use Your Intuition As a Valuable Tool for Change

Here's a subject that we don't normally think of when... Read More

Business Innovation ? Confidence in People

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Let the Seeds Grow

The thought that every great thing that has ever happened,... Read More

Business Innovation ? Radical and Disruptive Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Discontinuous Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Set Yourself Up For Success!... Read More

Innovation Management ? Capturing Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? Confidence through Competence

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Problems and The flow of Thought

The most progressive Think Tanks, Brain Trusts, research facilities in... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Types of Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Intuition Power In Three Steps

Have you ever used your intuition to solve problems? Can... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Role Play

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Ideas ? Need a New Idea? Try Changing Your Perspective

One definition of creativity states that creative people look at... Read More

Improve Your Small Talk - Gain Big Dividends!

Do you hate to make small talk? If so, you... Read More

Can We Change People?

There was a class of "challenged" children and many teachers... Read More

Accelerate Your Learning

Although you may not currently be a student, learning is... Read More

Creating Opportunity

An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Good Ideas Part 2

The relative ease of i) generating good ideas and ii)... Read More

Cumulative Gains in Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More