INNOVATION

What is innovation? This question has become more important and urgent over time, as the problems faced by humanity have become increasingly complex and dangerous. How do we innovate?

There are many definitions of innovation as viewed from different perspectives. The common elements across all definitions produce this general definition:

Innovation is a new, original idea that provides recognized value to humanity.

Examples of innovation across all of human history include fire, the wheel, the printing press, optics, electricity, the internal combustion engine, vaccines, the computer, the Internet, the Web, self-driving cars, Kickstarter, virtual reality, etc.

Some believe that innovation springs from spontaneous insight that miraculously strikes the inventor. While that kind of innovation may occur, it is becoming less useful as the problems we face become increasingly complex. Today’s most useful innovations are the result of a combination of ingredients:

  • Individual Contribution - the unique perspective, creativity, knowledge, and skills of individuals

  • Collaborative Engagement - the synergy of combined thoughts and insights from various individuals with diverse perspectives

  • A Plan - A Method or Framework that leads a team through an organized sequence of actions that takes a team from challenge to solution as effectively and efficiently as possible

  • Technologies - leveraging technology as a tool for solving problems

Accelerating Change

Technology fuels innovation. Accelerating change is the observed exponential nature of the rate of technological growth in recent history. It has created an increasingly complex life for humanity which can be problematic for some. It also provides technological solutions to humanity’s challenges when applied through a creative innovative method.

The Technological Singularity is a hypothetical future point when technology grows out of control, leading to unpredictable consequences for humanity. It's often described as a time when artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human intelligence, leading to a cycle of self-perpetuating technological evolution. 

Innovation Frameworks (Methods)

There are many, many innovation frameworks utilized in business and industry to gain a competitive advantage. Some frameworks have different areas of focus, different goals, different subjects (customer, competitors, markets) or are designed to impact different stages of the product development process. Each of the frameworks shown here in gold boxes can be Googled to learn about them.