Innovation 7

[ozmosis]

"noun 1 the action or process of innovating. 2 a new method, idea, product, etc."
(Oxford English Dictionary)
A recent workshop I was involved in recently brought some interesting responses.
What is your own description of innovation? I'm keen to understand other replies from those who are not indoctrinated in our own company's way of thinking...

 

[ajack1]

When my local pub landlord is very happy to see me.

 

[MadMango]

I think its mostly taking existing technology and applying it in a new method or application.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[Ashereng]

A novel solution to an existing problem.

A solution to a novel problem.

Either or both.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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[TheTick]

Ashereng said it well. Anything more just cheapens the meaning of the word into x amount of vacuous corporate cheerleader double-speak.

 

[WGJ]

Another vote for Ashereng

Bill

 

[Ashereng]

Thanks.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[ozmosis]

Thanks for the thoughts. Trying to define a "wow" factor into a tangible idea then into a plan and finally back into a customer "wow" when surrounded by 'cheerleaders' has been my task for a few months. The basic lines from Ashereng seems to cut the cr@p well.

 

[csd72]

Thinking outside the box.

 

[TheTick]

Think outside the box.

Usually uttered by those who are unaware of the size or shape of the box, or even where the box is.

The overwhelming number of sound solutions are still found inside the box. The first step in solving any problem is measuring the "box" and determining its size, location and orientation. Too many people skip this step.

Too often "functional" and "effective" are traded for "innovative".

 

[MadMango]

When brainstorming here, there is no Box.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[csd72]

TheTick,

Good point, but it depends on what you mean by the box. If you think of the box as the laws of physics then you should always stay inside this one. But if you think of the box as 'standard practice and standard ways of doing things' then thinking outside the box is often a good thing.

I do agree that the vast majority of designs should be done as standard as possible and innovate only when the standard items do not give the required results.

csd

 

[Qshake]

There is a study on the 'wow' factor in giving client value but I'm not sure this is what you want. I can't recall the name of the study or general method but it's been around since the early 70s.

Which is another thing that applies to our work: what comes around goes around. Stick around long enough and you'll start to see people sneaking ideas in to management that have been around forever.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[KENAT]

Trouble is, while thinking outside the box occasionally pays off, 9 times out of 10 the box is there for a good reason.

 

[rtmote]

Ashereng great and memorable bite. Gets my vote.

Forget boxes! This defines people too much.

Innovation is a buzz term that lets you find an acceptable proposal. Innovation is an opportunity for engineers to quit moaning and do something. I say look I have developed an innovative process blah blah.......... and managers listens.

It's a du jour keyword, probably only has a shelf life of three years, use it or lose it. The next one will be managineers......

 

[0707]

innovation is to solve the absurd

 

[MikeHalloran]

Third, innovative, option:
Redefine the problem out of existence.


Example:
Cutting louvers in and painting the fascia panel between the windshield and the hood of automobiles was a headache for a long time.
Hidden windshield wipers eliminated the panel, and the problem.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[BobbyNewmark]

The first step in solving any problem is measuring the "box" and determining its size, location and orientation.

And dimensionality. Finding an unexpected "knob" that can be cheaply turned can work wonders.

 

[Comcokid]

The corporation under which I work has innovation and creativity thoroughly under control!

From top to bottom, a NPI (New Product Introduction) has been implemented for all stages of the product life cycle from the initial concept to full production. Sales and marketing are suppose to define and write the specifications for the product. Product development engineering is to implement what sales and marketing have defined. Production is to build what engineering has designed. At each point in the process, people are to do the roles defined for them - no more and no less. Checks are exercised at each point in the process verify no unexpected ideas have crept into the process.

For those of you not familiar with it, NPI is one of the lingo terms that comes with "stage-gate" or "Toll-gate" type approach to product development and production. Ideas and products are part of a defined process, much like a production line. The various disciplines in this process are similar to machinery, robots, or tooling fixtures of a manufacturing operation. At each point in the process, people are to do the roles defined for them - no more and no less.

Yes, where I work, they are even coming up with a process and procedure that one only needs to follow to have innovation. After all, gotta nip any real creative thought in the bud - can't have any wild ideas or free thinking to run unchecked and allowed to grow into a product.

Funny thing is that in the past two years since the NPI was introduced, no really new products have gone to production - only a few re-treads of existing products. Several pre-existing new product development teams have been shut down, and in some cases the individuals laid-off.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Yeah, I remember when NPI came to a former employer. It brought the rate of new product introduction to zero, instantly.

One particular senior manager seemed to be a champion of NPI. He had come from a competitor, and I never caught him doing anything inconsistent with being a mole.

The company was absorbed, and it took another five years for the new bosses to get rid of him ... long after he had gotten rid of me.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA