Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intended to solve.

Karl Popper

The Need for a Theory

Process without theory is suspect. Without theory, best practices come from trial and error, without direction or context. Disconnected tools and approaches are cobbled together into makeshift systems that sometimes work but are inefficient and frustrating.

The Inovo Way is based on a theory of innovation that provides the foundation for all the processes, methods and tools. A theory permits the creation of hypotheses about cause and effect - of how things work, the experiments to advance the science and the tools and the tests of effectiveness. Innovation becomes a science instead of an 'art'. the result is a well founded technology of innovation that is developed and improved over time.

Innovation Defined

Innovation is not creativity. It is not problem solving or design. It is not invention and it is definitely not about having ideas. Although these are important and necessary, they are not sufficient for innovation. Innovation IS about adoption. Innovation IS:

When a cohesive community collectively recognizes value in the effect of a transformation caused by technology

A means of transforming knowledge into value that is recognized by individuals of a community or society

As Michael Schrage has stated, it is customers and clients - not innovators - who determine how great ideas become successful innovators.

The Theory

A innovation occurs when individuals recognize and adopts the effects of something new.

  • Something new is an innovation IFF it is adopted and used
  • Something is adopted and used IFF it changes the outcomes and experiences of individuals
  • Something changes the outcomes and experiences of individuals IFF it creates effects that are measurable and meaningful
  • Effects are measurable and meaningful IFF they are unique, relevant and ubiquitous for individuals in a community

Theory in Use

Comment and contribute to our theory of innovation

Contrast this theory with other innovation theories (or lack thereof)

See how the theory is implemented and made practical

What brings predictability to any field is a body of well researched theory... theory is consummately practical ... and managers are in reality voracious consumers of theory ... but are rarely aware of the theories they are using.

Clayton Christensen