Innovating in innovation: ideation for competitive advantage

In ever changing and increasingly demanding economic conditions, innovation is the lifeblood of any manufacturing organisation seeking to remain competitive. Approaches to managing and implementing the creation and development of ideas vary radically between organisations, but those companies that embrace an innovative, ideas-led culture are inevitably the ones best placed to secure their futures and prosper through long-term, value-adding partnerships with customers.

The key is to understand is that innovation is a product of both environment and the mental freedom to think in an unconstrained manner without becoming preoccupied with the problem.

Research undertaken in the 1980s showed that the more constrained an environment, the less freely people will think. The need was identified to create a physical and psychological environment where people do not feel threatened and can regain some element of the almost childlike inquisitiveness which is frequently conditioned out of people as they grow up. Similarly, the type of "in and out' listening - hearing what is said and then making natural connections from that, to the extent that one is almost daydreaming - that is often discouraged in schools is in fact to be welcomed when it comes to innovation.

And while it is vital to have people in the innovation team that have a detailed understanding of the issues around what is being discussed, a fresh perspective from someone completely outside the organisation, whose thinking is therefore uncluttered by existing "wisdom', will undoubtedly ensure a more rounded approach to the question.

To bring all this together, an ideation session, held away from the normal working environment, is typically the best way forward. A group of eight to 12 people from both inside and outside the organisation is the optimum size, allowing everyone to have a voice without becoming unwieldy. The "project owner' briefly defines the issue, using visual aids if required, and then everyone is invited to contribute. Occasional "excursions' - suddenly diverting the attention of the group using visual aids which may initially appear unrelated to the issue - can be built into the schedule to keep thinking fresh, along with expert insight. Every idea is written down and individuals are encouraged to build on others' suggestions.

Intriguing ideas, emerging concepts

After an agreed period, the group leader invites the members to look at all the ideas suggested and state which they believe to be not necessarily the most feasible solution, but the newest and most appealing and intriguing. From those identified, the project owner chooses two or three "emerging concepts', with the group then asked to state why they like those ideas, listing all their positive aspects and also, for each any major "roadblocks'. For these, the group is asked to suggest how these can be overcome. These strategies are then built back into each emerging concept, with a solution statement developed for each and an action plan, with clear owners and deadlines for each task and phase.

One of the products for the beverage sector developed using this route is the new IVAC integrated pneumatic controls unit combining the actuator, valve, flow controls, cushioning and sensors in a single package. This was developed in response to specific food and beverage sector requirements for more hygienic products as well as to address the issue of the multiple components - up to 13 - typically employed in each actuator function. The ideation process also identified the opportunity to simplify the connections so that each unit requires only one pneumatic and one electrical connection.

This is just one example of how Norgren's approach to ideation is delivering "Engineering Advantage' to customers across multiple industry sectors, harnessing the company's commitment to innovation and technical expertise to deliver high-performance products which enhance performance, add value and reduce cost across a broad range of applications.

For further information about Norgren, and their pneumatic motion and fluid control technologies, visit www.norgren.com/uk/industrialautomation.