Fast Ideas for Slow Times

by Hal on May 18, 2003

in PM practice

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Projects are the setting for carrying out innovation. We don't lack for good ideas, not even great ideas. We lack for successful selection, development, and implementation of those ideas through the process of innovation. That all happens as projects.

Christine Canabou writing Fast Ideas for Slow Times in the May issue of Fast Company offers an assimilation of some very good thinking on innovation. Too bad she sells it short in her subtitle …three rules for conservative creativity. From where I sit the advice applies equally well to the general project setting:

  1. Do more of what matters.
    …out innovate and outperform everyone else. Start with relationships.
         Jeffrey Pfeffer, Business 2.0
  2. Test, screw-up, learn — only faster.
    leave the meeting with an embodiment of the idea.
         Tom Kelley, IDEO
  3. Define innovation
    Use a systematic process for selecting ideas to proceed as innovations.
         Alistair Cook, Bain & Co.

The process of innovation only begins with the idea. It continues as a project through prototyping, development, delivery, etc. Throughout the project there is a continuing opportunity for (re)shaping the innovation through inviting all project team members to use their gifts.

Organize your projects, of whatever type, to exploit the otherwise latent talents available on your team. Invite team members to join you in playing the game You ain't seen nothin' yet!

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