Upstream & Downstream Innovation

As a systems thinker, I am constantly evaluating how humans are interacting and what that interaction contributes, or if it does contribute, to the achievement of desired outcomes. I think this way when I look at how teams innovate. I think of innovation as occurring in two 'compartments' within a human organization. There is upstream innovation and there is downstream innovation. 

Downstream innovation is the how. It's coming up with novel ways to implement something such as technologies to use or features in a product roadmap. Downstream innovation is best done Agile, with the continual improvement of the product or service. 

Upstream innovation is the why. It's coming up with the reason, the purpose, the opportunity that has been identified, and the overlap of the trends, behaviors, and forces creating a space in the market. Upstream innovation should be well-researched, and purposeful. 

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The PoC is the what. A proof of concept is where you make a prototype of what you think you should do and see if it will work. PoCs can be used to get market validation, begin to define the how and make any adjustments to the why that may be clarified from its implementation. A PoC can be created fast, keep in mind Agile and fast are not the same thing. 

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