1st Edition

A Guide to Innovation Processes and Solutions for Government

    270 Pages 56 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    In today’s knowledge-driven global environment, fueled by an ever-increasing appetite for timely information, decision makers and senior leaders across all government agencies are seeking new ways to boost efficiencies. A Guide to Innovation Processes and Solutions in Government provides a roadmap for successful implementation of innovation for government organizations and subcontractors and suppliers working for the federal government.

    The book details proven tools and processes that can make significant improvements in how the federal sector handles opportunities for innovation. It introduces the authors’ transformational innovation approach that is easy to implement. The N2OVATE™ process, selects the best innovation value-driven projects for implementation.

    Presenting insights that can help readers bridge the gap between the shareholder, stakeholder, and customer, the book includes descriptive examples and a case study that illustrate the application of the N2OVATE™ methodology. It explains what it takes to achieve sustained innovation success within the federal sector and includes numerous easy-to-follow assessments, process flowcharts, tools, and strategies for achieving sustained innovation success within any government agency or organization.

    The book guides you through the innovation process, from assessment to strategy to project implementation. It not only tells you what to do, but also how to do it. Seamless, robust, and reliable technology coupled with a proper innovation management approach can provide the mechanism for sustained innovation success. After reading this book, you will better understand what it takes to increase your innovation opportunity outcome while reducing waste, inefficiencies, and ineffectiveness.

    Why This Book Is Necessary
    Introduction
    Why Innovation Is Such a Difficult Goal to Achieve
    Ongoing Research
    Culture and the Environment
    Dynamic Capabilities
    Requirements
    Assessment
    Strategies for Innovation
    Innovation Process Management
    Incremental Innovation
    Summary

    Innovation: A Combination of Perspectives
    Introduction
    Coalescence/Combination
    Opinions: Expanding the Definition of Innovation
    A Research Study
    Background
    Summarizing the Results

    The Contribution of Satisfaction
    Needs (Requirements) Satisfaction
    User (Customer) Satisfaction
    The Amalgamation of Choices
    The Importance of Information
    The Influence of Judgment
    Knowledge
    Experiences
    Performance

    Inclusion
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Cultural and Environmental Influences on Innovation
    Introduction
    Large-Scale Cultural Influences: Individual Perspective
    National Cultures
    Ethnicities (Diversity?)
    Organizational Cultures
    Type of Government (Political System) Influences
    Affiliate Cultures
    Family
    Peers (Friends)

    Estimating the Effect of Culture on Innovation
    Culture and the Environment
    Use of Alliances in the Public Domain
    A Leader’s Role in Creating a Culture of Innovation
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Dynamic Capabilities: The Power of Innovation
    Introduction
    Dynamic Capabilities
    Dynamic Capabilities and the Leader
    A Case for Process Mapping
    Benefits of Process Mapping for Innovation
    Lean Concepts
    Cause and Effect
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Needs and Requirements: How to Initiate Sustained Successful Innovation
    Introduction
    Requirements, Core Competency, and Mission Set Definition
    Acquiring Capabilities and Addressing Capability Gaps
    The Defense Acquisition System
    Joint Capabilities and Integration Development System
    Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution Process
    Managing the Complexities of the DAS, JCIDS, and PPBE Relationship
    Sequestration
    JCIDS and the Requirements Generation Process
    Systemic Leadership Challenges within the Requirements Definition Process
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignment

    Organizational Assessment: Is the Organization Ready for Innovation?
    Introduction
    Organizational Evaluation
    Initial Assessment: Organizational Readiness for Innovation
    Interpretation
    Actions

    Evaluating Innovation Success
    Interpretation
    Actions

    Evaluating Agency and Organizational Culture
    Assessing the Work Environment
    Interpretation
    Actions

    Innovation Readiness
    Step 1: Needs (Requirements) and New Ideas
    Step 2: Nominate and Normalize
    Step 3: Objectify and Operationalize
    Step 4: Verify and Validate
    Step 5: Align and Adapt
    Step 6: Track and Transfer Performance
    Step 7: Evaluate and Execute
    Scoring
    Interpretation
    Action
    s
    N2OVATE™ IR Proficiency
    Assessment of Needs (Requirements) and Values
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Organizational Diagnostics: Through the Looking Glass
    Introduction
    Why Perform Diagnostics?
    Diagnostic Elements
    Situational Analysis
    Environmental Scan
    Active Data (Information) Sources
    Passive Data (Information) Sources
    Summarize the Information
    Assessment
    Building a Profile
    Causal Inquiry

    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Innovation Strategies: Design for Success
    Introduction
    Organizational Scale
    Existing Strategies
    Innovation Strategy Types
    Strategy 1: Ad Hoc
    Strategy 2: Supplier Based
    Strategy 3: Directive Driven
    Strategy 4: R&D Emphasis
    Strategy 5: Science Based
    Strategy 6: No Strategy

    Mission, Vision, and Purpose Statements
    Compatibility with Organizational Outcomes and Functions
    Constructing an Innovation Strategy
    Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis
    Assembling the Strategy
    Persistence

    Implementing an Innovation Strategy
    Success Factors
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Selecting an Innovation Project: Projects that Add Lasting Value
    Introduction
    Step 1: Assessment
    Step 2: Normalize and Nominate
    Step 3: Objectify and Operationalize
    Step 4: Validate and Verify
    Step 5: Adaptation and Alignment
    Acceptance of Change
    Step 6: Tabulate and Track Performance
    Step 7: Execute and Evaluate
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    Leading Innovation Project Success: From Concept to Reality
    Introduction
    The Impact of Innovation
    Macroinnovation
    Microinnovation
    Implementing a Successful Project
    Scenario 1: Incremental Improvement
    Scenario 2: Replacement

    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Assignments

    The Federal Government: 2015 and Beyond
    Introduction
    Summary

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Dr. Greg McLaughlin is a managing partner at Innovation Processes and Solutions, LLC. He brings a broad set of technical and practical expertise in quality improvement, innovation, and data analysis. Beginning as an analyst, he progressed quickly to director of research at a Fortune 200 company. Refining his skills in continuous quality improvement, he worked for Dr. W. Edwards Deming as instructor/ consultant. Greg authored a book for research and development in organizations (Total Quality in Research and Development, 1995) committed to quality improvement. He was an early adopter of Six Sigma and worked many years as a Six Sigma Senior Master Black Belt, saving organizations over $300 million. Many projects resulted in innovative products and services. His most accomplished skill is in interpreting data and finding a practical application. He can look beyond the numbers to find a solution to complex problems.

    Dr. William R. Kennedy is currently a primary managing partner at Innovation Processes and Solutions (IPS) Consulting. He is an award-winning and internationally recognized organizational leader and author with over 30 years experience in the public and private sectors.

    Buzz has an extensive background in leadership and management in information technology, defense, and aerospace acquisition, requirements, and program management. He is also considered a subject matter expert in strategy and innovation development, manufacturing and production, reliability-centered maintenance, Lean manufacturing, logistics and supply chain management, and training program development, design, and instruction.