ALVIS for Innovation and Decision Making Talk at Dr Reddy's Labs

(**** Talk at DRL Science Day 07 January 2016, Hyderabad ****)

ALVIS for Innovation and Decision Making

Navneet Bhushan

Abstract

In broad terms, we define innovation as successful creation of change through ideas. We propose that most innovation attempts fail because we overemphasise success from the very beginning of the process. Further two main challenges of innovation are identified as generating strong ideas and making strong choices. What makes an idea and a choice “strong” is an integrative thinking involving three dormant dimensions which we identify as value, inventive, and systems thinking. Our overemphasis on analytical and logical thinking orients our collective mindset towards a particular emphasis on quick and first perceived successful idea or choice. We propose in this task an integrative thinking framework that incorporates value, inventive and systems thinking along with analytical and logical thinking into the Analytical, Logical, Value, Inventive and Systems thinking (ALVIS) dimensions. Further, we explain the innovation crafting process involving SOUL-ALVIS-CRAFT as an integrated framework for making innovative organizations.  Further we describe in comprehensive detail how to be an innovation co-crafter using ALVIS thinking.  

o   An Innovation Co-Crafter is a Simpleton, Scientist and Saint - who starts along with people in a system (experienced domain experts) to reach to the SOUL of the system. He starts every time as a simpleton - then he becomes a scientist and finally achieves sainthood - reaching and delivering a wisdom of the system to effect change that is needed - making the system as close to Ideal as is possible. In this journey - he creates systemic change along with people in the system.

o   Every time the co-crafter starts as a simpleton who has multiple lenses to view reality and many times creates new lenses to look at reality - during these adventures in wonderland he behaves like a scientist – experimenting, exploring, understanding through the steps of SOUL - See, Observe, Understand and Live - after the simpleton has reached to the SOUL of the system, he starts the change process needed - a change that impacts all around him. Slowly the wisdom gleaned from this becomes the new change that the system needs and experts start developing their expertise in the new change!

o   A co-crafter is a simpleton who becomes a scientist and then achieves sainthood by working with a system and the people in the system to make the system as close to an ideal system as is possible - He has to be humble, has to accept that he doesn’t know and actually need to reach the SOUL of the system by learning to See, Observe, Understand and Live (SOUL) the system. Achieving Sainthood from being a simpleton every time is a learning process!

o   A co-crafter takes the organization that he works with to the Simplicity on the other side of complexity - one has to go through complexity. This side of simplicity will keep us simpletons - I hope you can connect with being Simpleton at this side of complexity - being a Saint is on other side of complexity and exploring complexity is being a scientist!

o   The co-crafter takes the system through a journey of simplicity from this side of complexity to the other side of complexity, breaking and many times shattering the mountains of complexity!

Learning is the Key

·         Complex Learning Happens in an environment of High Challenge Low Threat through Immersion in multiple authentic experiences and then active processing of these experiences to glean meaning–The Innovation co-crafter focuses on the above three for all “creative learners”

·         What is needed is an approach that is less control more creation, less management more on-its-own, less of post-facto data analysis, more of empiricism and experimentation - less of hierarchies more of networks, less of pyramidal thinking more of all-inclusive thinking. We have to wake up to the fact that world is self-organizing!

·         Three Key Questions?

o   Understanding the world around you

§  Discover yourself and your business – Make your model of the world – articulate that model

§  Key Techniques/Methodologies

·         TRIZ  - Inventive Thinking                                                            

·         Scenario Planning/Crisis Gaming/Seminar Gaming           

·         The Scientific Method                                                                   

·         The Science of Networks/Social Networks

·         Theory of Evolution

o   Understanding your customers and markets

§  Describe and Develop your Business– Identify key opportunities and problems – Develop possible strategic directions that your business can take

§  Key Techniques/Methodologies/Subjects

·         Strategy                                                                              

·         Intellectual Property Systems   

·         Understanding Wealth and Money             

·         Globalization                                                  

·         Theories of Innovation                 

o   Understanding your business

§  Deploy and Measure your Business – What is working – How you are making decisions about your business

§  Key Techniques/Methodologies/Subjects

·         Why and how your Business can fail?               

·         Systems Thinking

·         Digital Disruptions                                           

·         Value, Lean and Quality Thinking

·         Theories of Decision Making                      

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Key Bullet Points of the talk

(a) ALVIS Thinking (Analytical Logical Value Inventive and Systems thinking)

(b) See Observe Understand and Live (SOUL)

(c) Scenario Planning with System operators

(d) ALVIS for new Concept creation

(e) CRAFT (communicate relate allow follow-up turn-around)

(f)  Designing an innovative organization

(g) How to be an Innovation Co-Crafter

(h) Conclusions and Q&A

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The agenda for the day