Selecting and Narrowing Down Ideas

Nov 17, 2024

Lecture Notes: Wearing the Judge Hat

Introduction

  • Judge Vincent introduces the topic of wearing the "Judge Hat."
  • Contrast between diverging (explorer and artist hats) and converging (judge hat) modes.
  • Focus on selecting and narrowing down ideas from a large pool.

Framework for Idea Selection

  • Matrix Framework:
    • Axes:
      • Horizontal: Normal vs. Original ideas.
      • Vertical: Easy to implement vs. Impossible to implement ideas.
    • Quadrants:
      • NOW Ideas: Easy to implement, low risk, high acceptability.
      • WOW Ideas: Original and easy to implement, innovative and possible with current technology.
      • HOW Ideas: Original but currently impossible to implement, futuristic.

Ladder of Ideas

  • Earth Ideas: Easy to implement, low risk, high acceptability.
  • Mountain Ideas: More novel, slightly disruptive.
  • Sky Ideas: Futuristic, audacious, not yet feasible.
  • Aligns with NOW, WOW, HOW categorization.

Clustering Ideas

  • Organize ideas into clusters based on similarities or focus areas.
  • Example: Future car ideas based on energy type, design, IT capabilities.
  • Label clusters with overarching themes based on challenges.

Criteria for Idea Selection

  • Questions to Consider:
    • Fit with people's needs and market demand.
    • Alignment with problem statement or design thinking requirements.
    • Novelty and added value proposition.
    • Budget and resource availability.
    • Decision-makers' approval.
    • Alignment with organizational core values.
  • Use a scale (1-6) to evaluate ideas against criteria without a middle value.

Business Innovation Report 2017

  • Criteria companies use for idea selection:
    • Alignment to business strategy (71%)
    • Feasibility (56%)
    • Estimated value (51%)
    • Estimated cost.

Portfolio of Ideas

  • Matrix Dimensions:
    • Level of Certainty: Low, Moderate, High.
    • Timing: Short-term, Mid-term, Long-term.
    • Level of Risk: Low, Moderate, High.
  • Distribution in portfolios:
    • 70% Short-term, high certainty, low risk.
    • 20% Mid-term, moderate certainty, moderate risk.
    • 10% Long-term, high risk, low certainty.

Prototyping

  • Importance of prototyping in testing ideas.
  • Iterative Process:
    • Build physical prototypes.
    • Gather customer feedback.
    • Refine prototypes through iterative cycles.
  • Ensures market readiness and customer approval before production.

Conclusion

  • Thanks for watching.
  • Judge Vincent signs off with future plans to discuss the Warrior hat.
  • Note: Judge Vincent humorously mentions needing to judge murderers next.