Innovation is often thought of as unpredictable and random, but what if there was a structure to create innovation? That’s exactly what Genrich Altshuller, a Russian engineer and patent examiner, began to realize while working in a patent office in the 1940s. By analyzing thousands of patents, he discovered that […]
Method
55 posts
It seems so obvious. We have a bunch of ideas in front of us, and the natural question is: Which one is best? But the problem is that this question rarely leads to a good answer. Our brains are not designed to objectively determine which idea has the most potential. […]
In times of change – whether it’s driving new projects, introducing a new corporate culture or creating societal change – one thing is always crucial: getting people on board. But explaining a problem, presenting a solution and expecting others to act rarely works if the communication is dry and lacks […]
Running a system-change project is a complex challenge. Such projects require the ability to deal with large, interconnected issues that often involve breaking up established patterns and building new, sustainable structures. In this context, the See-Do-Learn framework offers a powerful way to organize processes, drive change, and create real learning. […]
Cooking is a daily creative process, but it is also much more than that. It is a masterful game between frameworks and freedom, a harmonious mixture of precision and improvisation. And just like in cooking, innovation is an art where small changes can create something completely new. By looking at […]
In a world where new buzzwords appear almost daily—from “metaverse” to “hyperautomation”—it’s easy to become overwhelmed and cynical. Many of these terms promise a lot but deliver little when dug deeper. A new such concept but perhaps deserving of our attention is strategic foresight. Strategic foresight is a concept that […]
For many, LEGO is a source of play and creation, but its potential extends far beyond the playroom. In system innovation, where complex societal issues require new ways of thinking, LEGO can be a powerful tool. By making abstract problems concrete and creating visual models, LEGO can help us understand […]
Mission-driven innovation has emerged as a method for addressing our greatest societal challenges—from climate change to more equitable care. The basic idea is to gather different actors, create broad visions and work together to develop solutions. It is a system innovation approach with many strengths but also clear challenges. Let’s […]
When it comes to creativity and innovation, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless stream of ideas. But how do we know which ideas are worth developing? Here, ikigai, a Japanese concept of meaningful living, can be a powerful tool – not only for personal development, but also […]
Coming up with innovative ideas for an already established product can be a challenge. New thinking is often needed to keep a product fresh and attractive, but without completely changing it or risking losing what customers already like. This is where “Concept Poker” comes in – a playful method of […]
Have you ever had an idea that you’re sure can be a success, but don’t quite know how to refine and flesh it out? An effective and creative way to process and develop your ideas is to write a future article describing the success of your idea – a kind […]
Anyone who has worked with creativity and innovation knows that a lot is about being able to ask the right questions. Many may think that creativity is about finding answers, but those experienced in the field know that it is the questions that drive the ideas. Correctly asked questions not […]
After a workshop is completed, it is often the involvement of the facilitator and participants during the session that affects the quality of the outcome. The use of templates during the workshop is an effective way to ensure that ideas and insights are documented. However, further work is required to […]
A workshop is a dynamic process based on the active participation of the participants, and it is important to understand that you cannot prepare for everything that will happen. As a facilitator, your job is to create an environment where people want to contribute, but you cannot force anyone to […]
Preparing a workshop is a process that requires both clarity and flexibility, but what should you think about when you have been given the task of holding a workshop? How do you get others to want to contribute their ideas? How do you know if it will be good? The […]
When we talk about innovation and creative thinking, we are often looking for the “best” idea. But what’s interesting is that the opposite of a good idea isn’t necessarily a bad idea. In fact, the opposite of a good idea is often another good idea. The real trap is not […]
There is always uncertainty about the future. From the effects of climate change to technological disruptions and global pandemics. The challenges we face are enormous, complex and interconnected. Faced with such uncertainty, how can we set course towards a better and more sustainable world? One way is to use scenario […]
Creativity is a muscle that needs to be flexed regularly, and what better way to exercise it than through a simple but engaging exercise – finding ten new uses for e.g. a balloon. It may seem like an everyday object, but the beauty of creativity lies in turning the ordinary […]
In the pursuit of solving problems and generating new ideas, our brain can benefit from unconventional approaches and connections. A creativity technique for this is the use of analogies. Analogies act as mental thought-orientations, enabling us to reframe our perceptions through the lens of unexpected connections between familiar concepts. The […]
Creativity is a force that drives innovation and progress in various fields. As creators, entrepreneurs or visionaries, we are often inspired by countless ideas bubbling with potential. But the journey from a creative idea to a realized innovation can be daunting, as not every idea translates smoothly into a tangible […]
In the quest to create a sustainable and circular business model, modern companies increasingly realize the importance of making Mother Nature their highest priority customer. As companies navigate the complex landscape of balancing profitability with sustainability, adopting a business model that prioritizes the environment becomes not just a choice but […]
In the world of innovation, leaders are constantly faced with complex challenges where the right way forward may not always be clear. This is where the Cynefin framework, developed by Dave Snowden, becomes an invaluable tool. By categorizing problems into different domains, it offers innovation leaders a structured approach to […]
In the pursuit of positive change, innovation is not limited to technological advances alone. One of the most fascinating approaches to driving behavioral change is to harness the principles of self-organizing systems. Imagine a world where behavioral change to create a better world is not mandatory, but rather emerges naturally […]
In today’s ever-changing and competitive world, creating a robust and focused idea concept is critical to giving your idea the space it deserves. Understanding what a concept is and how to articulate it clearly and effectively can be the difference between the success and failure of an idea. Let’s dive […]
In creativity, the pursuit of effective problem-solving techniques is unceasing. Here is the Six Thinking Hats method as a prominent tool, revered for its innovative approach. But despite its initial allure, there are some fundamental flaws that should be considered before applying it. More complex than it seems Undoubtedly, the […]
In the dynamic world of professional development, assessing one’s or a colleague’s suitability for a work role is crucial. Commitment and competence are two important dimensions that play a decisive role in determining whether someone is suitable for a job or not. In this blog post, we will explore a […]
Fostering creativity and innovation within a team or organization often begins with formulating the right challenge. Many believe that simply identifying the area of creativity is enough, neglecting the importance of creating a well-defined question. But does it really make a difference? Does it matter how we design a challenge? […]
Workshops are invaluable tools for brainstorming, problem solving and decision making. They provide a structured environment where participants can collaborate and generate innovative ideas. A peculiar but effective technique for workshop facilitation is the use of a 2×2 matrix. Here we will explore a way to facilitate a workshop using […]
Brainstorming is a powerful tool for harnessing a group’s collective creativity to generate innovative ideas and solutions. But doing it right can make all the difference between a productive session and a fruitless “meeting.” Let’s explore the key steps to effective brainstorming and give you practical tips to ensure success. […]
In the pursuit of innovation and problem solving, the first and most critical step is often to find the right question to work with. The “Why-How Elevator” as a method is inspired by the metaphor of an elevator with two buttons, Why (up) and How (down), offers a creative approach […]