Everything begins with an idea.
~Earl Nightingale
Be it an enterprise, a business, an academic institution, an innovation, or any other similar endeavor; it all starts with an idea and then the manifestation of that Idea towards the outcome.
What is Ideation?
Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas (Wikipedia). Ideation arises from our knowledge, experiences, influences, perspectives and more.
All of us have our ‘Eureka’ moments when an idea strikes. But what makes the Idea a great one from the rest is the quantum of its positive impact on people and ecosystems around us.
What enables the Idea to manifest?
To manifest the Idea, we must first assess its capacity to stand on its own. Can the Idea stand on its own? The Integrity of the Idea lays the foundation to stand.
Ideation without execution is a delusion. So, how do we execute the Idea? Intensity is the driving force that executes or mobilizes the Idea to become a reality.
Once executed, the Idea should be able to navigate progressively in producing the result, which requires commitment and consistency. The Intentionality behind the Idea paves the way till the end.
Therefore, these ingredients Integrity (to stand), Intensity (to execute) and Intentionality (to accomplish) enable the Idea to manifest the reality.
What is the Ideation Continuum?
Ideation Continuum is the life cycle of an idea to navigate through all the logical stages involved before becoming a reality. Let’s comprehend each logical stage involved in the continuum.
Conceptualize
Conceptualizing is visualizing how an idea might be implemented, it means coming up with a practical implementation of an idea. It is not enough to simply have the idea. To conceptualize, one must develop a mental model of how such an idea might manifest.
Ideas need context to exist as ideas because an idea is an idea-environment process.
Contextualize
Context is defined as “the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood”. Unless contextualized, an idea or concept makes no meaning or sense. We must apply Context to the Concept for relevance.
An idea without a plan is nothing more than a dream. So, we need a plan, a flow…a template.
Templatize
Templatizing is to convert the mental model into a physical one by breaking down the entire flow into logical stages that are comprehensible, palpable, and traceable. At this stage, we see the interconnectedness, dependencies, and relations of all the stages involved in the flow.
The plan unless backed by Action cannot transform the Idea into a reality. It requires Action.
Actionize
To see the possibility turning into reality requires action. Actionize is to bring action and execute the flow. It can be a sequential flow or several parts moving together. Action builds the model from idea.
Now that we have the model, how do we know if it adds value? Only by making it available…
Democratize
Once the Idea or concept is into Reality (life), it should be made accessible to everyone. The usability or leverage can be gauged only by democratizing it to the ecosystem around it. The concept is democratized by being available and accessible to all.
Accessibility would not yield value, but acceptance does. Acceptance requires humanization.
Humanize & Evangelize
Once democratized, we see and understand the human nuances of the idea. Here, we not only make the model more humanized by taking into consideration the relevant attributes that may have surfaced at this stage but also evangelize the model for wider acceptance.
Once accepted, it should be self-governing itself for which we must integrate it with the environment.
Institutionalize
Once humanized and accepted, the model must be established as a convention or norm in the larger system it is part of, to integrate it. Integration happens through Institutionalizing the same in the ecosystem.
How do you measure the model now? You need checkpoints to measure the leverage.
Metricize
Remember the phrase “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” (Peter Drucker). If we don’t measure, how do we know our model is working or adding value? We need Metrics to measure the model for the value it brings to the ecosystem.
To Transcend & Sustain beyond times & relevance, constructive criticism is essential.
Criticize (Constructive Criticism)
Like a Devil’s advocate, the Model should be willing to face constructive criticism to overcome its own barriers, flaws, and limitations in evolving into its finest version to sustain.
The Ideator should also explore ethical considerations of the Idea such as intellectual property rights, plagiarism checks, etc. before bringing the idea into reality.
This is just an illustration or prototype of an idea’s life cycle. In practicality, an idea may not necessarily go through all these stages or may even transcend this framework. But it would be wise to have a view around these attributes mentioned while implementing an idea.
