Earlier I thought that a great idea is something what appears out of the blue, only to brilliant people, immediately either great or bad. Not long time ago I realized that great ideas are also results of a process. Currently I'm using few simple rules which improves the creativity. Mostly they are based on my experience and observations but finding out how successful companies drive innovations helped as well.
Innovation process
1. Team work
One person can have a great idea, but when he/she shares it with others, has a discussion, the idea grows above any initial expectations.
2. Give it time
Earlier when I had to figure out something, I sat and thought about that as long as possible. Later on I realized that beside the conscious activity I should give a chance and time my subconscious. Thanks to that an idea very often appears "out of the blue". Even when it happens I start the process again though in order to find the best solution.
3. An idea can be developed further
Usually an idea can be developed further and further. Someone said once that if you don't have at least three solutions to a problem it means that you don't think clearly.
4. A simple trick
Few years ago I had to figure out very efficient algorithm. After I managed to do it I did a retrospective and tried to find out how I did it, so I could use the tool consciously in the future. I actually found out a simple trick. When you need to figure out something new, some solution the best way to initiate the process is to ask opposite questions, describe a problem in the opposite way.
5. Preparation
I still doesn't have a strong opinion about when is the best time to deepen the subject. The problem is that I'm afraid that if you start to read about others solutions you might set your mindset towards certain direction. Usually during the first phase I try to figure out things on my own, then in the further phases I gather knowledge about it and check what I missed.
