“It’s not an experiment if you know it’s going to work.”
If a new idea requires experimentation to prove it will work and if the system demands proof before the innovator is allowed to experiment, we have only two options for shattering this Catch-22. Either the system must change or the innovator must disobey the system. Historically, innovators choose the latter.
Fortunately, that internal innovator’s dilemma—disobey my company’s rules or do battle with the bureaucracy—has begun to change. In the last five to ten years, forward-looking organizations are realizing that the prove-it-do-it approach presents two critical issues.
First, they are recognizing an unassailable bit of logic: when an idea is novel, data that would prove its viability does not yet exist. Instead, sometimes you just need to act and learn. Second, in fast-paced environments, the cost of taking time out to do analysis can be significant. Wait too long and you may lose your window to act.
Your innovative idea is best served by following an “Act-Learn-Build” (ALB) approach but your organization will likely ask you to follow a “Prove-Plan-Execute” (PPE) philosophy. This tool will help you design an ALB experiment and avoid falling into the PPE trap.