Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, 5th Edition

Chapter 13

Capturing Learning from Innovation

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One of the common metaphors used to describe innovation is that of a journey – a complex, fitful travel through uncertain territory involving false starts, wrong directions, blind alleys and unexpected problems. Successful innovation implies the completion of this risky adventure and – through widespread adoption and diffusion of the new idea as a product, service or process – a happy ending with valuable returns on the original investment. But it also provides an opportunity to reflect on the journey and to take stock of the knowledge acquired through an often difficult experience. It's worth doing this because the knowledge gained through such reflection can provide a powerful resource to help with the next innovation journey.

Not all innovation is, of course, successful – but the opportunities for learning from failure are also considerable. Understanding what doesn't work on a technological level, or recognizing the difficulties in a particular marketplace which led to non-adoption is useful information to take stock of and use when planning the next expedition. Experience is an excellent teacher – but its lessons ...