Effective Innovation

Innovation is the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form.” — Watts Humprey

Abstract

Invention and innovation are not the same activity. Each has its own methods. Using the methods of invention to innovate is wasteful and ineffective. Learning the methods of Effective Innovation has been difficult in the past, but Objective Experiments has found a way to make learning these methods easy.

Introduction

Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, converting rare inventions into countless useful products. Innovation has its own methods, and using these methods assures that your innovation is effective. Effective Innovation will help you be the best at your job.

Innovation vs. Invention

Sometimes words are misused until people can't really tell what they mean anymore. “Innovation” is a great example–it has a specific, important meaning. It is different from invention.

Invent: to create or design something that has not existed before.

Innovate: to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.

Understanding this distinction is important if you want to know how to be the best at what you do. The easiest way to see this distinction is through an example.

An Example of Innovation and Invention: GPS

Finding your location on Earth using satellites is commonly referred to as GPS. The basic idea is that if you know the distance from 4 different satellites you can accurately calculate your position on Earth. Determining the distance requires a very accurate knowledge of where the satellite is and when it sent its signal. This is a remarkable invention–nobody had ever done this before.

Innovators took this invention and ran with it. They determined how to place extremely precise atomic clocks (already invented) in satellites (already invented) and send radio transmissions (already invented) with the necessary position and time information. The clocks were customized to account for the effects of gravity and satellite speed (already discovered by Einstein). This innovation made it possible to locate any position on Earth.

Further innovation created devices used by the military to find their way across uncharted deserts, devices for hikers to find their position in the forest, and devices for drivers to find their way around unfamiliar cities. Now GPS can also help 911 responders find you, and help you find the nearest pizza.

The ability to use satellites to find a location on Earth was an incredible invention. The greatest benefits to mankind, though, came from the innovations made possible by this invention.

Invention Relies on Luck

Coming up with a completely new idea is very difficult. It often involves luck.

A clear example of this luck is found in the invention of the Post-It Note. Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist for 3M, wanted to invent a super strong adhesive. He accidentally created a weak one. Luckily for him (and us too!) his new adhesive was reusable and he thought there must be a way to use it. Eventually a friend of his suggested that he could use it to hold the bookmark in his hymnbook. That eventually lead to the innovation of the Post-It Note.

Many inventions have been the direct result of luck. Among these are the Slinky, penicillin, chocolate chip cookies, the pacemaker, microwave ovens, Teflon, and ink-jet printers.

Industry Needs Effective Innovation

Invention is expensive. It costs a lot to come up with new ideas. Effective Innovation is cost effective. It's the way to recoup the costs of invention and to increase revenue.

Every business must generate revenue to exist, so the more you can help to generate revenue the more valuable you are to your company.

The Elements of Effective Innovation

Not all innovation is effective. In fact, a lot of innovation is wasteful of time and resources and fails to produce quality products.

Three important elements to Effective Innovation are:

• Objective Experiments
• Reliability Analysis
• Measurement System Analysis

These elements assure efficiency and quality, making innovation effective.

Innovation has its Own Methods

Innovation becomes wasteful when the wrong methods are used. Because invention relies heavily on luck, methods that work well for inventing are not the best choices for innovating.

The methods of Effective Innovation have been around a long time, but they are often not used. The main reason is that they are usually difficult to learn, being mired in jargon and requiring a lot of math.

Learning the Methods for Effective Innovation Can Be Easy

Objective Experiments's specialty is making complex subjects practical. Our workshops and major advances in Statistical software packages help you learn and apply the methods of Effective Innovation with no math and a bare minimum of new terminology. In fact, learning the methods of Effective Innovation can be fun and easy!

Objective Experiments Helps You Apply What You Learn

Objective Experiments provides you with a full year of consulting (at no extra charge) to help you apply what you have learned. You also get to ask questions about what you learn free for the rest of your life.

Conclusion

This post presents innovation as the cornerstone of progress, converting rare inventions into countless useful products. Innovation has its own methods. Using these methods assures that your innovation is effective. Objective Experiments makes Effective Innovation easy to learn. Effective Innovation will help you be the best at your job.

Looking for More?

If you have questions about this post or are looking for more information, please contact us.