The idea of creativity and the activity of ideation are intrinsically linked.

Creativity is the ability, propensity, or action of generating novelty in any action or activity.

In business, creativity is demonstrated through the process of ideation.

Ideation is the process of forming ideas and recognizing the ideas generated.

Processes involved in how ideas are formed might include conception of the idea, the sequence of thoughts that are invested in forming the idea, and thoughts on how the idea can be implemented.

Many factors contribute to how ideas and concepts are formed, including:

• past experiences,
• beliefs, and
• principles.

As business practitioners, we can make a further distinction between Ideation and Innovation.

What are Ideation and Innovation?

Ideation and innovation are two closely-related, but distinct concepts. Ideation springs from its route word, “idea”.

It involves the mental process of brainstorming concepts and theories.

Innovation involves the process of turning those newly generated ideas into a manner of doing something new or doing something that is familiar in a faster, better, cheaper, or more convenient manner.

How Does One Ideate?

We’ve boiled the essence of so many techniques down into a few principles.

The specific methods or approaches used in ideation or innumerable. There are, however, numerous approaches to ideation that are tailored to the concept of value delivery.

Even if you have no experience in business, you have probably heard of many techniques for coming up with novel ideas.

The general processes ideation process includes:

• What problem do you want to solve?

Coming up with ideas might be impossible if there is no problem to solve or solution to provide. Hence, the first process of ideation is the need to provide a solution.

• Addressing the Problem

Identify the core elements of the situation at hand that have potential to be altered or changed in a favorable way.

A problem is though of as an unfavorable situation.

Understanding the elements of the situation that make it unfavorable to someone is the starting point for ideation.

• Sequencing

The unique aspect of any ideation technique is that it provides a method for sequencing your thoughts.

The sequence of thoughts and stream of ideas generated when examining problem scenario are what give rise to actions or factors that could affect the situation.

The key is to relate the action or factor to the underlying cause or source of the problem scenario.

• Testing

Most ideation approaches include some element of comparing the idea to the problem – or testing the idea.

That is, you must examine how the ideated action or factor relates to or affects the problem.

Once the idea is decided on and tested to be effective. It can then be implemented.

Implementation, however, is beyond the scope of ideation. It leads into another concept – innovation.

Innovation is a topic that we cover in greater detail in the Entrepreneurship Course.

Before we leave the topic of ideation – we must introduce certain practices will make you more effective in ideating solutions to a problem.

What are Ideation Best Practices?

While many approaches to ideation exist, there are several commonalities that exist for effectively developing or creating new ideas.

Below is a list of some of these best practices.

• Use Unique Thought Patterns

Albert Einstein said, “Common sense is a collection of prejudices established before the age of 18 years.” Do not rely on your basic assumptions about an idea or about individuals. Attempt to address any problem by breaking away from your previously-engrained, logic patterns.

• Challenge All Existing Assumptions

Any situation or idea comes with certain assumptions. Challenging the basic assumptions associated with an idea helps to expand upon the idea or concept in a novel fashion.

• Think of ways to Reword the Idea or Concept

This allows you to look at things from different vantages.

• Make Interconnections

That is, link the ideas that you generate. This allows one to conceptualize relationships between generally unrelated ideas.

• Employ Unique Perspectives

We tend to look at things from a perspective built on our personal experience and internal paradigms. Try to approach problems from the perspective of someone much different from yourself.

You can do this by employing others in the process or by consciously being mindful of the thoughts and views of others.

• Use Facilitating Devices

You can facilitate your ideation by identifying enablers.

Enablers can include creative tools or an environment that allows for free thought.