Innovator’s DNA

Purpose: This assignment is connected to the reading of The Innovator’s DNA book. For this assignment, you
will select ONE of the two options below (A or B) that will focus on practicing select innovative discovery skills
identified within the book.
Details:
A.) Practicing the Networking and Associating skills:
• First, practicing the “networking” skill, form a focus group of 3-4 people with different backgrounds and
experiences to give their perspectives on how to best solve a challenge or achieve an opportunity you are
facing.
• Regardless if you can gather the group together at the same time virtually or if you need to have separate
conversations with each member due to schedule conflicts, select the top three ideas from your engagement
with this group.
• Select the most promising idea and practicing your “associating” skills (connecting the previously
unconnected), further enhance the selected idea that has the most potential
to solve your challenge.
B.) Practicing the Observation, Associating and Experimenting skills.
• First, identify at least five “observations” (try using other senses in addition to what you see) of a current
product or service that you wish was improved or a frustrating
situation that you wish had a solution which has not been created yet.
• Then think of three new ideas to solve this challenge using the skill of “association” (linking the previously
unlinked).
• Pick one of those ideas and then using the skill of “experimentation”, design and construct a prototype of a
product or service (building physically, sketching or
virtually) you would like to improve or you some new product or service that is needed but not yet designed.
• Regardless of which option you select, your deliverable is giving a 7-10-minute presentation that includes a
video, slideshow, or Prezi of your discoveries.