Innovation 1.0 vs. Innovation 2.0: Key Differences and Insights
Innovation Comparison & Key Differences
| Aspect | Innovation 1.0 | Innovation 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus of Innovation | Innovation by experts and senior leaders; big breakthroughs | Innovation is everyone's responsibility; focus on improving value |
| Role of Design | Primarily aesthetics and technology | Problem-solving process for diverse roles, not just design of products |
| Innovation Ownership | Experts, policymakers, senior leaders | Everyone in the organization contributes to innovation |
| Design Approach | Experts design; others follow | Everyone can design solutions, not just limited to products |
| Team Composition | Homogeneous teams of experts with shared outlooks | Diverse teams with varied perspectives and experiences |
| Citizen/Stakeholder Role | Segmented; managed and informed on a need-to-know basis | Co-creation and open innovation with stakeholders as partners |
| Problem Definition | Problem definition is assumed, and focus is on solutions | Problem definition is crucial; solutions are tested and refined |
| Decision-Making | Belief in one 'best' answer | Search for 'better' solutions; multiple answers are tested |
| Mindset on Solutions | Focus on proving the correct answer | Emphasis on trial and error, testing multiple solutions |
Key Insights:
Innovation Ownership Shift:
- Innovation 1.0: Only experts are responsible for innovation.
- Innovation 2.0: Everyone plays a role in the innovation process, democratizing the approach.
Design Purpose:
- Innovation 1.0: Design is mainly for technology and aesthetics.
- Innovation 2.0: Design is focused on solving problems and improving processes.
Team Diversity:
- Innovation 1.0: Teams are homogeneous, consisting of people with similar functional expertise.
- Innovation 2.0: Teams are diverse, with a variety of perspectives, increasing creativity and innovation potential.
Stakeholder Relationships:
- Innovation 1.0: Stakeholders (citizens, students, etc.) are managed with a distance, viewed as entities to be taught or served.
- Innovation 2.0: Stakeholders are seen as partners, engaged in co-creation and open innovation.
Problem Definition:
- Innovation 1.0: Problems are assumed and solved quickly without questioning the definition.
- Innovation 2.0: Problem definitions are considered hypotheses to be tested and refined.
Decision-Making:
- Innovation 1.0: One correct answer is believed to exist, and decision-makers work to prove it.
- Innovation 2.0: Multiple solutions are tested, with decision-makers understanding that the best solution may emerge through experimentation.
Conclusion:
Innovation 2.0 represents a shift from centralized, expert-driven innovation to a more inclusive and collaborative approach. By embracing diversity, co-creation, and a focus on problem-solving, organizations can foster continuous improvement and create greater value for stakeholders.
