As we all look to become more innovative, there are various techniques that are employed to generate new ideas. A recent article in Fast Company, begins by discussing well known brainstorming techniques along with their limitations. More importantly, it goes on to discuss two other approaches worth consideration – hack weeks and daydreaming while performing boring tasks.
Both are interesting, but the hack week idea seems worth more consideration because it leverages the group in the service of generating new ideas by trying to enact them. The article describes how the week is structured, beginning with a key question and concluding with a demo day where each group of 4 or 5 staff members presents a working prototype.
The hack week does something we seldom get to do; it changes the time available for thinking and collaboration. In most settings we get small segments of time and so our innovation potential is time deprived. By taking an entire week and allowing a team to focus on a single idea, there is time to develop the idea in depth, and this can make all the difference.
Be the first to comment