Navigating the intersection of systematic innovation and generative intelligence. One orientation: Exploring the application of generative intelligence to systematic innovation. Another orientation: Exploring the application of systematic innovation to generative intelligence… accelerating generative intelligence with systematic innovation. Ontology matters… orientation matters.
INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and Management Science — the publisher of ORMS Today) counts 29 recipients of the Nobel Prize in Economics as authors.
Let’s consider a few of the problems. Sometimes we are encouraged to compress this step and proceed with development of a solution before adequately defining the problem. Sometimes we do not know when we are done — when we’ve arrived at an objective and unambiguous definition. The format of our definition is often not optimal for collaboration either internally among team members or externally with other groups/stakeholders; integration with design activity can be especially problematic. The format may not illuminate the most significant aspect of the problem, or guide the solution in the most valuable direction. The format is typically not suitable for evaluating a particular initiative across a portfolio of opportunities.
Can we improve our approach to problem definition?
We will explore an approach to problem definition that amplifies product/service value and accelerates the development cycle.
Learning Objectives
Reinforce the rationale of a “problem-first” culture and mindset
Understand the nature of a contradiction — a particular type of problem that represents opposing forces
Understand how to use matrix analysis for framing business problems as contradictions
Understand how solving a contradiction relates to customer value and competitive advantage
Understand how to use this format as a common language for conducting portfolio analysis of multiple initiatives across various domains
Understand how to extend this method from problem definition to opportunity identification
When a proximity event occurs, the devices exchange randomized proximity identifiers. When a device owner is diagnosed, the owner receives a diagnosis key from the public health agency. If the device owner chooses to activate the diagnosis key, the device transmits the randomized proximity identifiers to the server. The devices that match those randomized proximity identifiers are alerted. No PII is transmitted to the server. No PII is associated with the randomized proximity identifiers.
How we used systematic innovation and quantitative analysis to anticipate the Apple / Google initiative for a non-intrusive approach to contact tracing
A collaboration with Livio Mariano @ Altair Engineering in Italy
We used systematic innovation to formulate a simulation that compared social interventions and corresponding biological outcomes in Italy and South Korea. Our analysis was ultimately published at ORMS Today — the journal of operations research / management science. We will consider the broader context of systematic innovation and its potential for driving product value in a conventional industrial context; we will also illustrate the opportunity for systems engineering to promote a more inter-disciplinary approach to problem-solving in an increasingly complex world.
Innovation Radiation 