Innovation Games

Customers are people. They have trouble understanding their own problems. And even if they think they understand their problems, they often can't describe the solutions they seek. Of course, many times they often don't know they had a problem or that they desired a solution, until they see or possess it. This book takes the challenge of developing customer understanding head on by providing a fresh perspective on how to use a variety of games with customers to develop the understanding that forms the foundation of innovation. Innovation Games is organized in two parts. The first describes each of the twelve games. The second provides sample processes and templates to help the reader organize their team, plan and run a game, and incorporate the results into their product development plans. The exercises described in this book provide a unique and fun approach to a problem that has plagued product developers and managers for many years: how to identify a customer's thoughts and behaviors in order to ensure your product is solving the right problems.

About the Author    xix
Foreword    xxi
Preface    xxiii
Acknowledgments    xxix
Part One: The Why and the How of Innovation Games    1
Part Two: The Games    47
Prune the Product Tree    48
Remember the Future    56
Spider Web    62
Product Box    68
Buy a Feature    76
Start Your Day    84
Show and Tell    92
Me and My Shadow    96
Give Them a Hot Tub    102
The Apprentice    106
20/20 Vision    110
Speed Boat    118
Part Three: Tools and Templates    127
Conclusion    151
Index    153