Innovation Games by Luke Hohmann

Creating breakthrough products through collaborative play
Creativity And Innovation
Author

Luke Hohmann

Innovation Games: A Summary

Luke Hohmann’s “Innovation Games” provides a practical, hands-on approach to fostering innovation within teams and organizations. It moves beyond theoretical discussions, offering a collection of 40+ games designed to improve collaboration and generate insights. The core message is that structured play can improve the innovation process, leading to more effective problem-solving and better product development. The book emphasizes the importance of engaging various viewpoints and actively managing the challenges of group dynamics.

The Power of Play in Innovation

The book’s central thesis revolves around the power of “play” in overcoming the barriers to innovation. Traditional brainstorming sessions often fall short due to a lack of structure, dominance by certain individuals, and a tendency towards premature judgment. Innovation Games introduce structured activities that encourage participation, minimize bias, and generate creative ideas. By framing innovation as a playful process, Hohmann aims to reduce anxiety and increase the likelihood of breakthroughs.

Key Principles Underlying the Games

Several key principles underpin the effectiveness of the games presented in the book:

  • Focus on the user: Many games prioritize understanding the needs of the end-user.
  • Iterative approach: The games encourage iterative development and refinement of ideas.
  • Visualization and prototyping: Many games involve creating visual representations of ideas to understand and communicate.
  • Collaborative problem-solving: The games are designed to use the collective intelligence of the team.
  • Rapid prototyping: The emphasis is on quickly creating and testing prototypes to validate ideas.

Categorizing the Innovation Games

The games in “Innovation Games” aren’t presented as a rigid set of rules, but rather as adaptable frameworks. They can be grouped into categories based on their primary purpose. Here are some key categories:

  • Understanding the User: Games focused on deeply understanding user needs, such as “Product Box,” “Role-Playing,” and “User Story Mapping.”
  • Idea Generation: Games designed to elicit a large number of creative ideas, such as “Brainwriting,” “Worst Possible Idea,” and “Speedboat.”
  • Prioritization and Selection: Games for narrowing down options and making informed decisions, such as “10:10:10,” “Prioritization Matrix,” and “Mock Auction.”
  • Concept Development and Validation: Games for refining ideas and testing their feasibility, such as “Storytelling,” “Elevator Pitch,” and “Card Sorting.”

Examples of Key Games and Their Application

Let’s examine a few impactful games and illustrate their practical application:

1. Product Box: This game focuses on user empathy. Participants are given a product box containing various objects representing aspects of a product. They then step into the shoes of a user and try to understand how these elements relate to their needs and experiences. This exercise forces a shift in perspective and enhances user-centric thinking.

2. Speedboat: This game helps identify obstacles and enablers for a project. Participants write down factors that might hinder or help a project’s success on sticky notes and group them accordingly. This visual representation allows the team to see the relative importance of different factors. This promotes proactive problem-solving.

graph LR
A[Project Goal] --> B(Obstacles);
A --> C(Enablers);
B --> D{Identify and Mitigate};
C --> E{Leverage and Amplify};

3. 10:10:10: This prioritization game helps teams make difficult choices. Each team member independently selects their top 10 ideas, then discusses and selects the top 10 ideas as a group, and finally narrows it down to the single best idea. This iterative process helps teams to build consensus and focus their energy.

4. Storytelling: This game helps to create a narrative around an idea, which improves understanding and engagement. It fosters empathy and generates buy-in. Participants collaborate to craft a story that illustrates the product’s use and value proposition.

Actionable Improvements for Life

While primarily focused on organizational innovation, the principles in “Innovation Games” translate surprisingly well to personal life improvement:

  • Problem-solving: Employ the structured approach of games like “Speedboat” or “Worst Possible Idea” to tackle personal challenges. Identify obstacles and use strengths to achieve your goals.

  • Goal setting: Use “10:10:10” to prioritize personal goals. Focus your energy on the most impactful areas of your life.

  • Learning new skills: Apply the iterative approach of “Storytelling” to understand and master a new skill. Break down the process into smaller steps, visualize the process, and tell your progress story.

  • Relationship building: Use “Role-Playing” to understand interpersonal relationships. Empathy and improved communication are key.

Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Effectiveness

Implementing Innovation Games effectively requires careful consideration of many factors:

  • Team Dynamics: The games are most effective with a various team comfortable collaborating and expressing their opinions.

  • Facilitator Role: A skilled facilitator is needed to guide the games, ensure equal participation, and manage time effectively.

  • Game Selection: Choosing the right game is vital. The choice depends on the project phase and the specific challenges being addressed.

  • Adaptability: The games are frameworks, not rigid rules. Feel free to adjust them to your specific context.

“Innovation Games” is more than just a collection of game mechanics; it’s a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of play, collaboration, and user-centricity in driving innovation. By providing practical tools and techniques, the book equips readers with the skills and mindset to creativity, solve complex problems, and achieve remarkable results, not just in the workplace, but also in personal life. The emphasis on iterative development, user understanding, and visualization provides a framework for progress in any area of life requiring creative problem-solving and collaborative effort. The book’s enduring value lies in its ability to make the often-daunting process of innovation accessible and enjoyable, promoting a playful attitude towards problem-solving that yields significant results.