7. Basics of Predictive Innovation


Predictive Innovation makes it possible to accurately understand what customers desire now and in the future and how to overcome technical challenges to satisfying those desires. In this way it merges marketing, engineering and business strategy. The key is how it breaks down systems into easy to manage dimensions. All innovation and problem solving uses three specific dimensions:

  • Outcomes
  • 7-Elements
  • 15-Alternatives

By using these three specific dimensions, all the innovations for any product or service can be accurately described even if current technology can't build it.

Height, Width, Depth

Physical objects can be described using height, width, and depth. Similarly, systems can be described using the three dimensions: Outcomes, 7-Elements, and 15-Alternatives.

Outcomes

Outcome is the result of something happening. For Predictive Innovation we use a broader and more formal meaning.

Outcome is an observable state resulting from a cause.

Speed, color, or temperature are observable States. A State can also be an event that did or did not happen. The State of any Outcome is classified into one of three categories:

  • desired
  • undesired
  • neutral

Most systems can be described using between 5 and 9 Outcomes. If a system is complex it might require dividing the system into smaller sub-systems to be manageable.

When each of the Outcomes of a system are in the desired State the overall goal is achieved.

Predictive Innovation uses Outcome Diagrams to graphically represent the systems for satisfying people's desires. Outcome diagrams are a type of flow chart. Instead of showing steps in a process it displays all the conditions or “if” statements to achieve the overall goal. In words an Outcome diagram says:

If A and B and C Then my desires are satisfied for this Scenario.

7-Elements

Elements
Elements


Chapter 6Chapter 8