The document discusses the misconceptions surrounding innovation and emphasizes that it should not be the primary goal for companies. It advocates for understanding underlying principles and making informed decisions based on data while encouraging experimentation and customer feedback. The overall message is to foster a problem-solving culture rather than merely executing tasks.

1. A CARGO CULT OF
INNOVATION
ThoughtWorks Atlanta — 24 August 2016
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HELLO!

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POST HOC, ERGO
PROPTER HOC
after this, therefore
because of this

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INNOVATION

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YOU AREN’T STEVE JOBS,
AND YOUR COMPANY
ISN’T APPLE.

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INNOVATION IS A
TERRIBLE GOAL

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UNDERSTAND WHAT IT
IS YOU REALLY WANT
AND WHY

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WORK TOWARD YOUR
FIRST PRINCIPLES
data —> insight —> beliefs —> bets

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MAKE BETS AGAINST
BELIEFS; UPDATE BELIEFS
data —> insight —> beliefs —> bets

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THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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THE LONG, HARD,
STUPID WAY

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MAKE BETS WITH THE
BEST POSSIBLE ODDS

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LISTEN TO YOUR
DAMN CUSTOMERS
data —> insight —> beliefs —> bets

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EXPERIMENTATION
STILL NEEDS A PLAN,
AND A VISION

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MAKE SMALL BETS
DON’T EXPECT SUCCESS
KILL RUTHLESSLY

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REMEMBER THAT
IDEAS ARE CHEAP

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LET YOUR TEAMS
SOLVE PROBLEMS,
NOT DO TASKS

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EASIER SAID
THAN DONE

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IF YOUR CULTURE DOESN’T
ALLOW FOR SOMETHING
LIKE THIS, GET AWAY FROM
YOUR CULTURE.

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YOU CAN GET HELP, BUT
YOU MUST ULTIMATELY
DO THIS FOR YOURSELF

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STOP LOOKING FOR
SILVER BULLETS

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THESE ARE LEAD
BULLET PROBLEMS

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THANKS.
Coleman Collins
ccollins@thoughtworks.com