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Ideation

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May 1, 2024 Updated May 9, 2025 17 minute read

Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. It's a journey of thought, starting from an initial concept and moving towards its potential implementation, often in a business context. These ideas can stem from existing knowledge, external influences, personal opinions, or core principles and can be expressed visually, in writing, or verbally. Think of it as the engine of innovation, driving new solutions and improvements across various fields.

What makes ideation exciting is its power to unlock novel approaches to challenges and opportunities. It's the phase in a project where teams aim to generate a vast number of diverse ideas, which are then filtered and refined to identify the most promising, practical, or groundbreaking solutions. This process isn't just about random brainstorming; it's a structured yet flexible approach that encourages thinking beyond the obvious. For many, the allure of ideation lies in its collaborative nature, bringing together different perspectives to spark fresh insights and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ideation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the creative process and offers practical advice on how to generate and develop creative ideas. The authors have extensive experience in design thinking and innovation, and their insights are invaluable for anyone who wants to learn more about ideation.
This practical guide to design thinking provides a step-by-step process for generating and developing creative ideas. Brown argues that design thinking powerful tool for innovation, and he offers a wealth of case studies to illustrate how it can be used to solve real-world problems.
This practical guide to value proposition design provides a step-by-step process for creating a compelling value proposition for your product or service. The authors argue that a strong value proposition is essential for innovation, and they offer a wealth of tools and templates to help you create one.
This fascinating book tells the story of the Xerox PARC, one of the most innovative research labs in history. Gertner explores the creative process and the factors that contributed to PARC's success. His insights are invaluable for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of innovation.
This practical guide to innovation provides a step-by-step process for generating, testing, and implementing new ideas. The authors draw on their extensive research to offer a wealth of insights and tools to help you become a more effective innovator.
This innovative book argues that design thinking is not just for products, but also for businesses. Martin offers a unique perspective on innovation, and he shows how design thinking can be used to create more successful and sustainable businesses.
This engaging and entertaining book offers a unique perspective on innovation. Kawasaki argues that innovation is not just about technology, but also about people and culture. He offers a wealth of practical advice on how to create a culture of innovation in your organization.
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