Comments on: Innovation Is Shaped By Constraints, Not Freedom

By: Jan Bak

Jan Bak — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:02:49 +0000

I guess I also have to agree. Innovation is the result of problems occurring from time to time. With this our creativity arises to make resolutions.

-Jan

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:21:01 +0000

Glad you found my pic thought-provoking.

By: What’s Your Personal Tagline?

What’s Your Personal Tagline? — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:31:48 +0000

[...] make us focus. The less we have to work with, the more creative we have to [...]

By: » iBlog.co.za - Free Wordpress blog South Africa

» iBlog.co.za - Free Wordpress blog South Africa — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:22:19 +0000

[...] It’s true, Innovation is shaped by constraints. [...]

By: glen

glen — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 18:24:58 +0000

Excellent point. The manner in which the constraints are presented (or perceived) is critical.

By: kriisp

kriisp — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:06:30 +0000

I agree with you that innovation is shaped by constraints. The interesting question though is the nature of these constraints. What type of constraints works for innovation? And what type works against?
I believe you can talk about “beautiful constraints” that challenge creativity and enhances innovation. But you can also have a different type of constraints that dampens the mood and makes the task impossible.
If for example the management gives a innovation task with very tight deadline this can be seen as an impossible condition and can then dampen the mood Ã¢â‚¬â€œ and make the team uncooperative. But if the management explains itself and why the deadline is so important, the task can be viewed as more of a challenge that calls for unprecedented amounts of creativity Ã¢â‚¬â€œ and then you have a more “beautiful constraint”.
So, maybe the beauty is not in the constraint itself but rather in the way this is communicated?

By: WeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re Not Really Creators, But Great Adapters « Kyle Mackie

WeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re Not Really Creators, But Great Adapters « Kyle Mackie — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:59:00 +0000

[...] Innovation Is Shaped By Constraints, Not Freedom [...]

By: glen

glen — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 22:10:42 +0000

Very good points Jeff. Creativity by itself depends on freedom. Maybe what I should have titled this piece was something about “focused” creativity.

Freedoms + a focused goal = Best Outcomes.

Also, good point about how there IS creation inside of adaption. Many times we don’t know what we need until we create it. What I was trying to articulate is that humans are best at creating when there is a need.

Good stuff man, good stuff.

By: Jeff De Cagna

Jeff De Cagna — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:48:03 +0000

Glen, I agree with you up to a point. I believe that constraints do inspire our creativity, but in the cultural context of innovation there also must be a strong element of freedom that allows creative alternatives and options to receive full consideration. In organizations, innovation faces nothing but constraints, i.e., there is never enough time, money or other resources. Introducing greater freedom into the system permits flexibility and openness, which is essential to making innovation happen.

Also, I would submit that even in adaptation there is creation. 37signals took a key strategic insight, adapted its approach to technology accordingly and created new value for an audience that was not served by other tools. This is essence of innovation. The act of creation is in the value, in meeting the unarticulated or unknown need, even if it is delivered through adaptation.