Conceptualizing+the+Opportunity+I+-+High-power+brainstorming

Conceptualizing the Opportunity I - High Power Brainstorming
Monday, March 12, 2012 <>

Topic overview:
Today we will (finally!) enter the phase of our process where we move from deeply understanding our customers needs, to designing solutions that meet those needs. We will begin the class with an overview of the steps we will take during this stage, some of the tools that we will use, and the outputs that we hope to have at the end of the stage.

Then we will move on to what Tom Kelly describes as 'High Power Brainstorming' in which we will work as a group to generate a lot of ideas for solutions to address the opportunities previously identified and articulated. We will try to actively use the principles that Kelly describes in The Art of Innovation, hoping to come up with a list of many, many potential solutions by the end of the class that we can refine and explore further in subsequent weeks.

By the end of today's class, you should:
 * Understand the basic inputs, outputs, and tasks undertaken during the opportunity conceptualization phase
 * Be able to apply the principles of effective brainstorming and have experienced a high power brainstorming session
 * Have generated a significant number of promising ideas for new products, services, or experiences to meet your customers' identified needs and desires

Preparation for class:
In preparation for class today you need to read chapters 4 and 5 of The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley. We will be using the techniques described in these chapters so it is very important that you understand them sufficiently to apply them to our in-class exercises.

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