Idea log

Enables all ideas to be captured and focuses on winners, not losers. All ideas are good ideas and stay on the list. The best ideas rise to the top.

Description
One of the greatest challenges to companies is knowing which projects to do next and keeping an up to date record of all possible ideas, from subtle improvements through to major new products. A simple tool is to maintain an 'idea log', which is reviewed at frequent intervals (every month or quarter).

Some form of scoring system will enable the strongest contenders to be visible at the top of the list. It is possible for an idea to be on the list for several years, until appropriate technology, skills of capacity is available to act upon it.

Unique and professional website templates. Vooweb - Website Templates offers a great variety of Website templates for business and personal use | If there has been no improvement since the beginning of your relationship with your SEO company, they need to explain why. Then you have a great seo Company working for you. If you don't want to do it yourself, an SEO company being paid monthly should detail exactly what they are doing for you. | Any link exchanges promising hundreds or links immediately upon joining should be avoided unless the only search engine you care about is MSN. Using a link exchange as the only way you get links will also not be a path you want to wander down. Exchanging links with every site under the sun is also bad.

Having a strong log of ideas which emphasises the likely projects which could be done helps to remove the stigma associated with 'rejecting' projects which are not currently strong candidates. No ideas are rejected and all remain on the list and are reviewed in light of changes in the market place, technology or company situation. What may not be a strong idea this year may be a winner next.

The idea log should include a mixture of radical, incremental and process ideas and not be constrained to the core product technology, but include service, sales and other support activities. The best idea for product improvement may be to change the sales channels or promotional activities.

Each company should determine its own criteria for assessment, and behind each assessment may be a significant piece of work. Weaknesses in knowledge should signify the need for further work.

Ideas at the top of the list are likely to be the next things to be worked on.

idea log

Notes

  • Needs to be public and accessible
  • Rating should be carried out by a cross functional team
  • Use the log to indicate where more information is needed - don't rate by gut feel

 

Back to index of tools and techniques

Home | GDP Program | Design maturity | Effective product design | Tools and techniques | Contact | Links
Better Product Design Collections