Enhancing Innovation PDF

# MODULE 3 | DEVELOPING PROBLEM-SOLVING AND INNOVATION CAPABILITY ## CHAPTER 4: ENHANCING INNOVATION ### 4.1 INTRODUCTION When a problem has been identified or a team has chosen a specific improvement project, it is time for that team to start thinking of what needs to be done in order to improve...

# MODULE 3 | DEVELOPING PROBLEM-SOLVING AND INNOVATION CAPABILITY ## CHAPTER 4: ENHANCING INNOVATION ### 4.1 INTRODUCTION When a problem has been identified or a team has chosen a specific improvement project, it is time for that team to start thinking of what needs to be done in order to improve the situation. Although a lot of suggestions are generated in Continuous Improvement Teams, there are some ways to enable your team to enhance their innovation capability. Firstly, in order to enhance innovation, we need to learn to broaden and change our perception. Perception is how we look at the world, what we take into account, how we structure the world. It is the most important part of thinking, but it is also where almost all of the errors of thinking occur as most of us employ thinking habits that actually limit our perception. This is because the patterning nature of our minds seeks certainty, not alternatives. In addition, the way we are educated tends to promote the view that analysis, judgement and argument are enough. We tend to think in a linear, causal manner and ignore complexity. This means the way we perceive the problem in the first place tends to be limited. Furthermore, the solutions we come up with are also usually constrained as our typical way of thinking also lacks generative, productive, creative, and design aspects of thinking. This section provides the following simple techniques to help broaden perception and to enhance innovation: - PMI Brainstorming - 'What if' scenario mapping ## 4.2 PMI BRAINSTORMING Brainstorming is a structured process that encourages the generation of suggestions in a group setting. PMI brainstorming is a way of using your intelligence to explore the subject matter, rather than risk reaching a conclusion too soon. **WHAT** is the PMI brainstorming process? [Diagram of Plus, Minus, Interesting circles] **Step 1:** PMI requires people in the group to state the situation or challenge and then brainstorm in the following sequence: - **Plus:** List all the good points about the situation - **Minus:** List all the bad points about the situation - **Interesting:** List all the interesting points about the situation by asking "it would be interesting if..." **IMPORTANT INFORMATION** 1. Do not list all ideas first and then categorise. By following the sequence, the team has to force themselves into a creative thinking mode whereby everyone can generate or consider alternative and opposing ideas. It works against our natural and habitual tendency to take a decision prematurely, and then spend effort defending it, as such biasing our own thinking. 2. The PMI is not the same as a listing the pros and cons of a situation, which tends to be more of a judgement exercise. It is a generative exercise, which also allows for broader thinking by considering what interests you. **Step 2:** Observe and react to what has been turned up by the PMI brainstorming. This can be done through very open questions such as "What stands out for you?" and "Given this information, how would you like to proceed?" The conversation will naturally lead to conclusion through effective discussions. **WHY** it is used: - To generate a large number of suggestions fairly quickly - Deliberately approach the subject from various angles and explore fully - To support creative thinking - To encourage people to think together **WHEN** it is used: - When focus is needed on a specific problem - When the answer to a problem is not clear, OR especially when the solution to a problem has been reached too quickly - When different solutions exist to a problem **IMPORTANT INFORMATION** There are a few golden rules for brainstorming: - Allow people to think freely and contribute spontaneously. - Do not criticise or evaluate any suggestion during brainstorming sessions as this shuts down generative thinking. - When generating suggestions, aim for quantity - the more the better! - Allow people enough time to think. - Build on each other's suggestions. **HOW** it is used: Depending on the group that is doing the brainstorming, different practical methods of brainstorming can be used. The following three options serve as a guideline: **Different PMI brainstorming options:** 1. **The large group verbal brainstorm:** - Use this method when the group is comfortable and they communicate easily. - Write the question/theme down where everyone can see it. - Do the brainstorming in one of the following two ways: - Round-robin (each person gets a turn) - Random (people speak out when ready) - Write each suggestion on a flipchart as they arise. Remember to first do the plus points, then the minus points, then the interesting points. - Write in big enough handwriting and thick enough text (e.g., with a marker rather than with a pen) so that it is legible from a distance of about three to five metres. - Keep on prompting the group by asking the question in a different way during the session, until they have exhausted all ideas. Then move onto the next point. - Then proceed to step 2 by discussing in a large group or in smaller groups to ensure clarification of ideas. During this step allow others to build on ideas. If it is helpful, group ideas into themes as you discuss, or before you enter into the detailed discussion. 2. **The small group verbal brainstorm:** - Use this when people are reluctant to speak publicly, but where group interaction is still required. - Write the question/theme down where everyone can see it. - Divide the group into smaller groups of three to five people and provide each group with sticky notes and markers. Ask them to split up, allow enough time for them to complete the PMI exercise. Remind the smaller groups to first do the plus points, then the minus points, then the interesting points. - Keep on prompting the group by asking the question in a different way during the session. - Walk around the room and offer assistance, ensuring they follow each step according to the instructions. - Allow for another round of ideas if you have time. - Ask them to put the post-its up on a wall. - Then proceed to step 2 by discussing in a large group or in smaller groups to ensure clarification of ideas. During this step allow others to build on ideas. If it is helpful, group ideas into themes as you discuss, or before you enter into the detailed discussion. 3. **The written brainstorm:** - Use this when people are very reluctant to speak publicly, or where people need quiet time to think without group distraction, or if the group is too large to have open discussions. - Hand out sticky notes and markers to all participants. - Write the question/theme down where everyone can see it and ask them to do the PMI exercise individually. Remind participants to first do the plus points, then the minus points, then the interesting points. - Keep on prompting the group by asking the question in a different way during the session. - Encourage people to write in big enough handwriting and thick enough text so that it is legible from a distance of about three to five metres. - Walk around the room and offer assistance, ensuring they follow each step according to the instructions. - Allow them to keep writing until they have exhausted all their ideas. - Ask them to put the sticky notes up on a wall. - Then proceed to step 2 by discussing in a large group or in smaller groups to ensure clarification of ideas. During this step allow others to build on ideas. If it is helpful, group ideas into themes as you discuss, or before you enter into the detailed discussion. ## 4.3 'WHAT IF' SCENARIO EXERCISES Generating 'what if' scenarios for a situation forces you to use your mind in a creative way and not to be limited upfront by perceived current limitations. **Step 1: Generate ‘what if' scenarios** State the situation, then spend as much time writing down scenario statements starting with 'what if...' as per the examples below. Continue until people cannot think of another scenario statement, or 45 minutes has lapsed. This first step can be done individually with everyone writing down on sticky notes as many 'what if' scenarios in silence. Or this can be done as a group with individuals shouting out their ideas to be written on a board. You can also do 10 minutes of individual silent work, then cluster the ideas, and ask the group to generate more scenarios. **IMPORTANT INFORMATION** Similar to the brainstorming activity, no one must evaluate or criticise scenarios during step 1. **Step 2: Explore scenarios further** In step 2 the team can then start discussing each scenario, asking the question "under what conditions would this be possible?" As you work, order into a visible 9-box matrix in terms of ease of implementation and impact. Impact should be evaluated in terms of whether this improves Patient Safety, and/or Patient Experience, and/or Operational Efficiency (1 point for each). [Diagram: 9-box matrix of EFFORT (Low, Moderate, High) vs IMPACT (1, 2, 3) - 3 points] **Step 3: Decide on best way forward and action plan** Considering the discussion in step 2, determine what you want to focus on, and how you wish to proceed. Move towards detailed action planning. [Diagram: 4 "What If" scenario statements on sticky notes] # ACTIVITY 8 Reflect on the A3 example that was completed in Activity 6. 1. How can brainstorming or the ‘what if' exercise assist in improving the A3 process?