Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

Creativity, Innovation, and Science - Separate and Distinct or Not?


There is a pervasive belief that creativity and innovation are separate and distinct from the concept of science. That creativity and innovation cannot be scientific. This is completely false.

An event begins to fall into the realms of science when experiments are repeatable and the results reproducible. The myth that creativity occurs out of the blue combines to create the impression that it is impossible to design repeatable experiments that generate reproducible results.

One useful definition for this article is to define creativity as problem identification and idea generation and innovation as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

To make creativity scientific, ask two questions:

a) Can repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) be designed to increase problem identification? Is an increase of output reproducible?

b) Can repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) be designed to increase idea generation? Is an increase of output reproducible?

To make innovation scientific, ask three questions:

a) Can repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) be designed to increase idea selection effectiveness? Is an increase of output reproducible?

b) Can repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) be designed to increase development output? Is an increase of output reproducible?

c) Can repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) be designed to increase commercialisation output? Is an increase of output reproducible?

Answering the above:

a) It is not unusual for people to agree that repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) can be designed to increase problem identification. Results - an increase of output - are reproducible.

b) When people need to generate ideas, they will herd people into a room with a flip chart and conduct an idea brainstorming session. Implicit in this action is the acceptance that certain processes and structures etc... increase idea generation. In fact there are an infinite number of processes and structures that increase idea generation and make insight more likely (see MBA dissertation at www.managing-creativity.com). Results - an increase of output - are reproducible.

c) It is not unusual for people to agree that repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) can be designed to increase problem idea selection effectiveness. Results - an increase of output - are reproducible.

d) It is not unusual for people to agree that repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) can be designed to increase development output. Results - an increase of output - are reproducible.

e) It is not unusual for people to agree that repeatable experiments (processes, structures etc) can be designed to increase commercialisation output. Results - an increase of output - are reproducible.

In conclusion, given the nature of creativity and innovation, it may not be possible to design repeatable experiments that produce exactly the same ideas, but it is possible to design repeatable experiments that always produce an increase in idea generation. Though you cannot predict what an idea will be, where it will occur and what form it will take you can increase the likelihood of ideas occurring. Further, you can increase the number of ideas produced, the rarity of those ideas, the diversity of those ideas and the frequency of their production.

There is much more to this??

This topic is covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com. You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop MBA is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Creativity - Google News

Creativity is key to CEOs - NetworkWorld.com


Creativity is key to CEOs
NetworkWorld.com
More than sustainability, operational effectiveness, or even dedication, creative leadership is an essential asset to permeate an enterprise. ...

and more »

Creativity, vision fuels her passion - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle


Creativity, vision fuels her passion
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
When you work in nonprofit it is fast-paced, mission-driven, has variety each day and allows creativity and vision to come to reality. ...

and more »

Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ...
PR Newswire (press release)
Just in time for back to school, the new Sears digital program aims to find the kids with the creativity, guts and style chops to be number one. ...

and more »

Social media-focused ad firms look to hire - Crain's New York Business


Social media-focused ad firms look to hire
Crain's New York Business
NYC-based digital marketing startups are on the prowl for young creative types conversant in Facebook and Twitter. When Dylan Harvey graduated from ...

and more »

A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours - Lifehacker


A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours
Lifehacker
Small lengths of exercise produce long lengths of boosted creativity. Many people who exercise attribute the change in scenery to their creative ...

and more »

Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread - The Exponent


Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread
The Exponent
The executive chef for Purdue Memorial Union is well-known for his cooking talent, but it's the gingerbread houses and ice carvings that ...

and more »

Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism - Gamasutra


Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism
Gamasutra
by Staff Albert Reed, studio head of Demiurge Studios, holds a view that while creativity is key in coming up with game concepts, so is honing those ...
Demiurge's Road To CreativityGamasutra

all 2 news articles »

DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York - PR Newswire (press release)


DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York
PR Newswire (press release)
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB New York announced today that it has appointed Matt Eastwood as Chief Creative Officer. Eastwood, who is currently the ...

and more »

Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...
PR Newswire (press release)
ORRVILLE, Ohio, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Jif is now accepting entries in the Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. ...
Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...Virtual Press Office (press release)

all 12 news articles »

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity - Detroit Free Press


New York Times (blog)

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity
Detroit Free Press
The two-day festival will showcase the creations of more than 260 inventors and other creative types from across the country this weekend at the Henry Ford ...
Maker Faire is coming, time to get your DIY on!AnnArbor.com

all 38 news articles »

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2010

home | site map | links

 

eXTReMe Tracker