There has been much debate recently wether or not an idea, a non-tangible thought, can be an innovation. I present my visual map of the process through which an agreed innovation travels.
Two key elements that need to be pointed out before providing my thoughts. The first element is along “The Path of Thinking.” Almost every innovation I have heard about, discussed or have been presented had a similar path of origin. All of the innovations, had resources from something other than the old thinking. In every case, the catalyst resource from which the innovation was derived came from outside the situation. In other words, the path of traditional thinking was halted and a new path introduced. As John W. Lewis of #Innochat would state, “This is a discontinuous action.” and I agree. He goes on to share, “it must also add value.”
The second key element to observe is that of “Measure.” To be innovative, implies improvement or enhanced value. To understand if there has been an improvement or enhancement of value, the idea must be implemented and then measured against the earlier condition for evaluation and validation. The idea must become tangible to be evaluated.
So here’s my thoughts on the issue.
I believe this, no idea, concept or notion, no matter how impressive, brilliant or revolutionary, can be deemed “innovative” on its own merit. In order to be recognized as an innovative idea, the idea must be put into action either by methodology, application or by production. Once applied or constructed, then can it be measured and evaluated against its ancestry.
An idea is exactly that, an idea. An innovation is a measurable application or production.
