INNOVATION PROCESS

Innovation is really believed to operate in a stage like process i.e

i. Idea generation
ii. Idea implementation
iii. Idea diffusion

The process of innovation occurs in organizations that purposely search for innovation. It
could be any organization including research institutions.

 Idea generation: this stage starts with creating ideas and in particular the
techniques of generating those ideas. Innovating organizations go through
processes of innovation using the following techniques.
i. Brainstorming
ii. Synthetics
iii. Attributes listing
iv. Forced relations
v. Check lists
vi. Morphological analysis

Brainstorming
A problem/issue is presented for discussion and the group members are supposed to solve
the problem

Guidelines to brainstorming
i. Accept all ideas including wild/odd ones
ii. differ judgment and evolution
iii. encourage participants to build on each other idea
iv. a lot of time may give great ideas
v. Someone most enforce rules and guidelines
vi. Encourage those people who do not want to talk

Synetics
It is a brainstorming but more complex because it means/involves bring different things
into a unified connection or joining together apparently unrelated ideas. It uses analogy
and metaphor in problem identification and analysis. The forces of synetic is to make
the strange to look familiar and familiar ro look strange.

Attributes listing
It involves listing the main attributes of an object, idea system or even a process and then
examining each of these to see how they can be changed.
The list of attributes is used as a forecast for new ideas, vehicle sensors, automatic gears,
low emitting automobiles etc.
 The methods is suitable for tangible products rather that intangible products e.g services.

It ensures that all possible aspects of a product are examined for improvement.

Forced relations
It is about combining unrelated ideas or things that have nothing in common e.g a book
and a bed led to sofa beds
The technique takes different ideas or objects and asks question like in how many ways
can they be combined to give a new idea or object ?

Check list
Almost similar to attribute listing based on adding a set of questions to spur creativity.
Questions like where, why, how, what etc may be asked concerning a particular problem
or product for instance.

Can we adapt? Where, how who

Can it be modified?
Can it be substituted?
Can it be magnified?
Can it be minimized?
Can it be re arranged?
Can it be reversed?
Can it be combined?

A list is usually generated for a particular problem or product.

Morphological analysis?
Similar to attribute listing but it provides alternative ideas in a matrix set. For instance,
the following is a matrix generating ideas for transport system.

New transport system

Variables Alternatives
Travel in Air, water, land
Travel out wheels, magnetic cussions
Travel path reserved/shared
Energy source fuel, gas, electricity, steam, petrol
Control remote/under operator

The technique sets all variables in a matrix and tries to combine them in a new way
Practical combinations are identified and they becomes source of new ideas or solutions
for innovation idea.

Idea implementation
It involves implementing new ideas into the organization. The organization has to show
greater commitment to innovation by providing an environment for innovations
An innovative environment is based on the following
i. Commitment to technological innovation
ii. Acceptance of risk i.e tolerating risk
iii. Tolerate failure
iv. Participative leadership
v. The organization must be growth oriented