1. Innovation Process Styles
The Varieties of Design Thinking
Content from “OCAD University Strategic Foresight & Innovation Orientation, Aug. 28, 2014” - Tom Kasanda (Ontario Science Centre)
Copyright Basadur Applied Creativity 2012

2. Innovation is a Process
How do we perform best as innovators within this process? Are there certain “working styles” or “ways of being” that work best in different situations?

3. Four Ways of Being in a Creative Process:“The Innovator’s Profile”
Implementing
“Getting things done”
Generating
“Getting things started –
finding new problems &
opportunities”
Optimizing
“Turning abstract ideas
into practical solutions
& plans”
Conceptualizing
“Defining problems &
putting ideas together”
Copyright Basadur Applied Creativity 2012

4. Some Objectives of the Innovator’s Profile
Be confident in your own creative style
Appreciate others’ styles and recognize when they complement your own
Diagnose team problems
Set up successful teams
Understand creativity as a process

5. Which might be your most preferred style ?
Experiencing
Implementer
“Getting things done”
• action, results
• understanding not necessary
• adapt to changing circumstances
• enthusiastic but impatient
• bring others on board, but …
• dislike apathy
Generator
“Getting things started”
• new problems, challenges
• different perspectives
• create options (diverge) rather than
evaluate
• enjoy ambiguity
• keep all options open
Evaluation
Ideation
Optimizer
“Turn abstract ideas into
practical solutions and plans”
• analytical thinking
• practical solutions to well defined problems
• find the critical few factors
• Evaluate options rather than diverge
• see little value in “dreaming”
• dislike ambiguity
Conceptualizer
“Putting ideas together”
• abstract thinking
• create new insights
• problem definition; big picture
• clear understanding necessary
• high sensitivity to and appreciation of ideas
• not concerned with moving to action
Thinking
Copyright Basadur Applied Creativity 2012

6. What is your Innovator’s Profile?
Please submit to Dave at end of class

7. What Research Shows: Different Process Style Preferences
1. Everyone is a blend of preferences 2. Is about States not Traits 3. Depending on context, your dominant quadrant is less important than your ability to “shift” among quadrants to be effective. 4. Heterogeneous teams perform more innovatively (but have less satisfaction vs. homogeneous) 5. You can be trained and skilled in all four quadrants 6. Generators are in shorter supply in corporations 7. Different jobs/functions favour different styles

8. Innovation Process Styles within a Project Lifecycle
Copyright Basadur Applied Creativity 2012

9. Practice Scenario #1
You are part of a team that has developed a number of outstanding new ideas. The team is having trouble selecting a single idea to implement. This is partly because the ideas are so unique that they cause discomfort in some people who throw up roadblocks, and partly because some individuals are quite attached to their idea. Several members are suggesting that perhaps these ideas weren’t so good after all, and a few seem disconnected. In which of the four states do you need the team to be at your next meeting?

10. Practice Scenario #1 (cont.)
Now, consider the Innovator’s profile of your current team members.
What challenges might your team have in this situation?
In what ways could your team excel?

11. Practice Scenario #2
Your organization has been totally focused on meeting its annual budget and achieving short term operational goals (i.e. getting things done, day-to-day). There have been no real “breakthrough” products or ideas introduced in at least two years. Customers are starting to suggest that your offerings are losing relevance in the marketplace. In which of the four states do you need the team to be at your next meeting?

12. Practice Scenario #2 (cont.)
Now, consider the Innovator’s profile of your current team members.
What challenges might your team have in this situation?
In what ways could your team excel?

13. Practice Scenario #3
Your team is getting busy with other things. Work is falling behind and some people are carrying a disproportionate part of the load. In which of the four states do you need the team to be at your next meeting?

14. Practice Scenario #3 (cont.)
Now, consider the Innovator’s profile of your current team members.
What challenges might your team have in this situation?
In what ways could your team excel?

15. One Final Thought
There is diversity in how people think and problem solve.
Innovation and teamwork is about leveraging different people’s strengths and styles at the right points in the process.
It is not about cobbling together 4 individuals’ contributions to a project after dividing up the work! …does this sound familiar based on your past high school experience?