Innovation is central to business success, yet no other aspect of business is as frustrating and out of control. Instead of occurring in fits and starts and strokes of genius, innovation needs to become an all-the-time event that's measurable, reliable, predictable, streamlined, and effective. Asserting that every innovation objective has a finite set of possible solutions given its unique constraints, TRIZ, the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, is a structured system for making innovation more manageable and profitable. Divided into five parts, Insourcing Innovation: How to Achieve Competitive Excellence Using TRIZ demonstrates how the applicationof a consistent, systematic approach will render innovative problem solving a dependable reality rather than an enigmatic phenomenon. Part I provides a framework for thinking about business excellence and the case for why TRIZ is a world-class approach for achieving perpetual innovation with existing resources. Part II covers the tactical aspects of TRIZ, with a central focus on the TRIZ methodology (DMASI) and its primary constructs, techniques, and components. Part III provides implementation case examples, including an in-depth breakdown of how TRIZ was used to create a self-heating beverage container. This part also summarizes how TRIZ was applied to innovate parts of the International Space Station, the Cassini Saturn orbiter, and even hospital triage. Part IV transitions from the tactical aspects of TRIZ to its strategic aspects, which show you that no single innovation stands alone. All tap into one or more of eight evolutionary forces to become what they are. This part describes these forces with related examples. Part V discusses how structured innovation is part of the larger system of "total performance excellence." Highlighting their interdependence, it shows how key aspects of business excellence enable structured innovation, and at the same time are enabled by structured innovation.

A compendium of tools and techniques that every innovator needs

"The Innovator's Toolkit" is an essential companion for every innovator, innovation team leader, operations manager, and corporate change agent who needs to drive organic growth. Written and presented in an easy-to-use reference format, the book helps users understand why, when, and how to apply each technique for maximum benefits and results. The fifty-plus tools and techniques in this book are organized around a framework for identifying innovation opportunities, generating new and unusual ideas, selecting the best ideas for further refinement, and implementing new solutions that better meet customer expectations.This revised second edition includes significant updates to nearly two dozen techniquesAlso offers several brand new techniques, including Idea Harvesting and Treatment, Seventy-six Standard Solutions, and Six Thinking Hats

This updated and revised edition of "The Innovator's Toolkit" simply helps innovation leaders, managers, and specialists do their jobs better than ever before--giving them more confidence, greatly reducing the chance of expensive failures, and packing more practical innovation knowhow under one cover than ever before.