Making the future: From invention to customer discovery

Two approaches to future technology

1) Remember the past, then
         predict the future

     Example: exponential "laws"

2) Dream the future, then
         make it happen

     Example 1: Rain Mon

     Example 2: Let's make our own!

We'll do it workshop style...

       We need to decide on working as

            Larger groups

            Groups of 2

            Individuals (the choice that went literally viral 2020 & 2021!)

      Best way under normal circumstances:

             Full class, then small groups, then individuals

      Let's do, then reflect on, each stage below...

     

A. Decide on your interest

First,

     Write down some steps in

               your typical use of:

                       a faucet (or other water dispenser)

Next,

     Write down a few steps in

               your typical use of:

                       a smartphone

Let's hear a few...

Now, decide what to invent a new kind of or improvement to:

      Faucets

      or

      Smartphones

      or

      Social media design for a specific community

      or

      Sunglasses

      or

      Something else of your choice

B. Write down *more* steps

Lots and lots of steps!

Are any of them annoying?

Then we'll compare notes

C. Find "pain points"

What step(s) are associated with

     glitches

     delays
   
     annoyances

     inconveniences

     frustrations

     etc.

     ?

Find the pain points

Then we'll compare notes

You can update your steps if you like

D. Invent solution(s)!

Create solution(s) to pain point(s)

Then we'll compare notes

Use a technique, many exist

     TRIZ  (we discussed)

     9 Windows

     6 Hats

     Mind Maps

     Various others (take "Strategies for Innovation")

     Brainstorming (a good choice for today)

             Hint on the best way to brainstorm: 

                   Generate ideas freely

                        "No idea left behind!"

                   Judge them later

E. The lean canvas

Suppose we wanted to make a startup

The "Lean Canvas" is a new planning method

      A variation is the "Business Model Canvas"

It is a path forward on one sheet of paper

      Compare that to a 50-page "Business Plan"

One is much shorter

One is easier to change

      Startup ideas often do change!

One more realistically matches the startup process

One is rapidly growing more popular

Let's look at a lean canvas template now

      image search for one, or go here

In fact, let's fill it out together,

    one compartment at a time

    Problem(s)

    Solution(s)

    Unique value proposition

    Unfair advantage (if any)

    Customer segment(s)

        We'll focus on this more later

    Channel(s)

    Cost structure

    Revenue streams

F. Customer discovery

You think you know they want it

    But do they?

    You have to ask them!

Figure out some questions to ask them

Interview your neighbor (or the group if we're online)

    Then we'll switch to new neighbors

If time, let's try another one!