IDEO, the world's largest, and perhaps the most successful product design firm, has a genuine respect for new ideas ad inventions.
For some three decades, the company has provided the world with thousands of products ranging from computer mouse to the stand-up toothpaste dispenser.
Central to its success is a system of innovation that has evolved through continuous experimentation since the company was founded.
The objectives of the case are:
1. To introduce the notion of an innovation or development system itself. A system consists of several interdependent elements that have to be carefully optimized to work together.
2. To identify experimentation as an integral activity in product development and organizational/system change.
3. To introduce you to prototyping, which, in IDEO's case, is the mechanism for carrying out experiments.
The case study shows what managers can do to make their own organizations more innovative. Watch the video with its link below before doing your analysis. If you have difficulty in opening the link, the video is available on You Tube. Search for "Deep Dive IDEO," and you will see two videos on shopping cart. Choose the one that is 21 or 22 minutes long.
Assignment Questions
1. How would you characterize IDEO's process, organization, culture, and management?
2. Decision point: Should IDEO accept the Visor project as is (on a dramatically reduced schedule)? Should they try to persuade Handspring's management to change its aggressive launch schedule? Or should they simply decline the project? In your discussions, please consider the IDEO and Handspring perspectives.
You suggest the following outline for your report, and you can modify it the way you like.
1. Introduction: A brief summary of your key conclusions, recommendations, and expected outcome if your recommendations is implemented.
2. Element 1 of IDEO's innovation System: Development Process
• Prototyping
• Intense brainstorming
• Structure/methodology
• Client Management
3. Element 2 of IDEO's innovation System: Organization
• Small units
• Flat hierarchy
4. Element 3 of IDEO's innovation System: Management
• Low key, lead by example
• Knowledge management
5. Element 4 of IDEO's innovation System: Culture
• Failure and trust'
• Sharing and respect
• Simple rules
6. The Deep Dive Video
• Market research
• Culture and organization
• Teams
• Process
• Reality check
7. The Handspring Decision
Provide a detailed discussion on your choice of the option. Your decision will be easy once you understand what IDEO is all about.
Option 1: Accept Handspring project as is
Option2: Ask for more time and then accept
Option 3: Decline Project
Attachment:- IDEO CASE.rar