Exploration and Innovation: A Non-linear Affair
I had the pleasure of hearing Scott Berkun, author of The Myths of Innovation, speak last night at the Open Source conference here in Portland, Oregon. What resonated with me was that innovation/exploration is not a linear thing. There are lots of false starts, wasted time, and tail-chasing. It is only with hindsight that we look at an innovation and pick out the magic “path” that was followed, ignoring all the noise that actually contributed to the innovation. This is particularly apparent when you look at a timeline of milestones, such as the “history of communications”, or the “history of navigation” — only the successes are highlighted! (For more on Scott Berkun, see UIE's interview with him.)
Magellan's navigation through what is now called the Strait of Magellan serves as a poignant example of the non-linear nature of innovation and exploration. Notwithstanding its name, the Strait is not straight at all -- rather it is a complex maze of channels, tidal estuaries, treacherous shoals, and bays that could be easily mistaken for continuations of the Strait. Magellan sent out small scouting parties in long boats to determine where the entire armada should proceed. These scouting parties were able to quickly follow trails and determine if they were indeed continuations of the Strait, or dead-ends. Utilizing multiple scouting parties, most of which "failed" to find the correct path, the armada was able to systematically proceed through uncharted pathways. Magellan's novel, collaborative approach to navigation through the Strait is widely acknowledged as the greatest feat in maritime history. (For more on this compelling story, see Laurence Bergreen's Over the Edge of the World.)
Dave Kresta
in Collaboration and Innovation
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Dave - thanks for the book recommendation. I just ordered a copy of Over the Edge of the world :) And btw: if you don't have a copy of Myths of Innovation, happy to send you one - Cheers.