Embedded Files
Pre-Reading: Students must prepare to access VISION: AFSNCOA VISION Sign Up Process (loom.com)
Introduction
Introduction
"We must contribute to the Joint Warfighting Concept, enabled by Joint All-Domain Command and Control, and place capability in warfighters’ hands faster—through innovation, experimentation and rapid prototyping, and a collaborative approach with our service and industry teammates."
CSAF Innovation Letter to Airmen.pdf" Innovation is more than a buzzword—it goes beyond just creative thinking and lofty expectations. It is evolutionary or revolutionary changes to existing processes, capabilities, and mindsets. To succeed, we must properly identify problems, empower decentralized solutions by individuals and teams, and infuse an ethos of innovation at all levels. Innovation depends on both creative individuals and supportive organizations to turn concepts into reality."
"We value boldness and initiative. We need both innovative Airmen and their supportive leaders to achieve "over, not through" approaches for the 21st century. This takes an innovative ethos, this takes courage and creativity—this takes you!"
"[A combat-credible military] must not only be capable of rapidly manufacturing proven capabilities needed to defend against adversary aggression, but also empowered to innovate and creatively design solutions as battlefield conditions evolve."
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”
7 Sources of Innovation
Inside the Organization
1. The unexpected– The unexpected success, failure, or outside event.
2. The incongruity– between reality as it is and reality as it is assumed to be or as it “ought to be.”
3. Innovation based on process needs.
4. Changes in industry structure or market structure that catch everyone unawares.
Outside the Organization
5. Demographics— population changes
6. Changes in perception, mood, and meaning.
7. New Knowledge, both scientific and non-scientific.
Cognitive Lesson Objectives:
Discuss methods for improving creative thinking to solve problems
Understand methods to empower innovation in organizations
Explain the Department of Defense innovation ecosystem and strategic alignment
Affective Lesson Objective:
Value creative thinking and innovation in organizations
Creative Thinking
Creative Thinking
Four Items Experiential
Adaption vs Innovation
Divergent vs Convergent
Design Thinking Activity
Design Thinking Activity
"The Enlisted Force Development Action Plan, Teaming to Solve Problems, Objective D.
Deliberately develop, expand, and utilize problem-solving capabilities within our airmen. Grow cadre of instructors (Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, Continuous Process Improvement, Agile/Scrum, etc.) to empower innovation at all levels.”
Brainstorming Rules:
Brainstorming Rules:
1. Defer Judgement
2. Encourage Wild Ideas
3. Build on the Ideas of Others
4. Stay Focused on the Topic
5. One Conversation at a Time
6. Be Visual
7. Go for Quantity
Empathize:
Reflect on your career in the Armed forces and write down every problem you’ve encountered that you believe is worth correcting. Write one problem per sticky note.
As a flight, group similar ideas together.
Define:
Select one grouping and focus on what you believe is the most critical problem.
Empathize:
Complete a journey map.
Define:
Determine "How might we...". This step transforms a problem, point of friction, or observation into a solvable question.
Select an issue from the empathy phase.
Rephrase issue as a question that asks for a solution.
Consider what questions will have the biggest impact on the user.
Ideate:
Brainstorm solutions to the “How might we” statement using the Brainstorming rules
Prototype:
Develop a prototype of the solutions you are most excited about using available resources.
Develop a SMART goal and identify affected stakeholders.
Testing:
Determine if the solution was as effective as anticipated.
Generally requires someone to interact with your prototype.
Innovation
Innovation
Consider:
Consider:
What is the consequence of having specific goals and thinking methods in your unit?
How often do humans achieve the next groundbreaking innovation by constructing well-thought-out plans?
Is setting an objective like “Let’s be more innovative!” helping or hurting us from becoming more innovative?
“Sustained innovation is an iterative sequence. The sequence is only known in hindsight. No methodology is guaranteed to deliver innovation based on an objective.”
Discuss:
Discuss:
What is the difference between innovation and moments of inspiration?
Can some innovation efforts seem aimless?
What should you do about it?
Why or Why not?
What can you do as SNCOs to foster innovation in your unit?
DoD Innovation Ecosystem:
Navigate to DEF Innovation Ecosystem Map • DEF Ecosystem Map / Default view • Kumu and take a few minutes to navigate the Innovation Ecosystem
Strategic Alignment & Deployment:
Take a minute to read about SA&D in the AF CPI Playbook.
AF CPI Playbook_FHow does SA&D relate to the aimlessness of innovation?
What is planned abandonment? Can SA&D help you with that?
Can you connect innovation organizations to National Objectives? Explain.
Grassroots Innovation Exercise (VISION)
Grassroots Innovation Exercise (VISION)
“Men Wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.”
Jump into opportunities. Help members connect the dots to achieve success. We need to think creatively in general, not just toward a specific goal.
These men may not have known where they were going, but they did know there would be challenges along the way.
Innovation is hard.
Efforts, even under the best intentions, will fail for several reasons.
VISION Activity
VISION Activity
Log onto VISION (follow the link for VISION application and video introduction. Must have CAC enabled device per reporting instructions)
Search for Projects at home organization
Select a project. Failed projects may also be picked.
Develop a plan to lead the project to completion.
Consider the following:
Information to inform about the project and what they will try to do.
Justification of why this project needs to succeed and the benefits to the mission (SA&D). The more compelling, the better.
Current roadblocks (why are they failing)
Key stakeholders that may need to be involved.
Resources requirements and how they will be acquired.
When this project is complete
How can it leverage talent management
Wrap-up
Wrap-up
In a culture of innovation, you don't always need to be the trapeze artist.
How can you better build the safety net?
Cognitive Lesson Objectives:
Discuss methods for improving creative thinking to solve problems
Understand methods to empower innovation in organizations
Explain the Department of Defense innovation ecosystem and strategic alignment
Affective Lesson Objective:
Value creative thinking and innovation in organizations
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