7 Part Series on the Foundations of Innovation
This series provides an overview of Lt Col Dave Lyle's series on the Foundations of Innovation. The first part of the series examines why innovation is necessary and important, especially in the context of the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force.
The author argues that innovation is crucial for successful adaptation in hostile and competitive environments and is necessary if we want to shape our own destiny. The article also highlights the challenges of innovation, including the fundamental nature of war, human nature, and decision-making by corporate agreement. The author suggests that innovation is much more about mindset and culture than it is about resources and technologies. The article provides a thought-provoking introduction to the topic of innovation and its importance in our rapidly changing world.
How this Series will Describe and Explore the Foundations of Innovation
- We’ll provide a three-part model of innovation and change based around the mutual evolutions of Ideas, Groups, and Tools, and show how we derived it from the literature of strategic studies
- We’ll provide examples of innovative ways to look at some the challenges discussed in the “Foundations” series using examples from some notable books on innovation
- We’ll provide some practical advice for those actively pursuing innovation in military circles today
This recommended reading list offers a diverse range of works on military innovation, innovation in general, and a unique perspective on corporate creativity. The essays cover three noteworthy case studies on military adaptation and innovation by Elting Morison, Williamson Murray, Stephen Rosen, and Gordon MacKenzie.
Morison's work, Men, Machines, and Modern Times, provides historical evidence on how modern technology has transformed warfare.
Murray's Military Adaptation in War examines the challenges of innovation and adaptation during conflicts.
Rosen's Winning the Next War looks at the role of innovation in shaping military power and strategy.
Steven Johnson's Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation provides insights on how creativity and innovation can arise in different contexts.
Finally, Gordon MacKenzie's Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace offers an unconventional perspective on how creativity can flourish in a corporate environment. Overall, this reading list provides a broad range of perspectives on innovation and adaptation, making it an engaging and informative resource for anyone interested in these topics.
The following are links to each part of the series:
Part 1 – The foundations of innovation.
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-part-1-of-7
Part 2 - The Foundations of Innovation – A Model of Innovative Change
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-a-model-of-innovative-change-part-2-of-7
Part 3 - The Foundations of Innovation: Ideas
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-ideas-part-3-of-7
Part 4 The Foundations of Innovation: Groups
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-groups-part-4-of-7
Part 5 - The Foundations of Innovation: Tools
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-part-5-of-7-tools
Part 6 – The Foundations of Innovation: Synthesis of the IGT Model Insights
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-synthesis-of-the-igt-model-insights-part-6-of-7
Part 7 – The Foundations of Innovation: Current Applications of the IGT Model
https://community.apan.org/wg/aucoi/the-force-of-innovation/b/foiblog/posts/the-foundations-of-innovation-part-7-of-7-current-applications-of-the-igt-model