Innovation is a wicked problem; the viable solution is often unknown until it's in widespread use. This makes it difficult for developers, designers, scrum masters, and product owners to achieve shared understanding and determine how best to reduce risk, generate learnings, and increase the chances of an innovation becoming sustainable.

Drawing on over a decade of experiences with different teams, products, and industries, I will provide a high-level overview of how innovation initiatives differ from extending existing systems and share techniques to decompose tough problems, engage in critical thought, move faster, and increase the chances that innovators’ visions will successfully become a reality.

Learning Objectives:
• Awareness of how innovation is different than extending existing systems
• Gaining context through Impacts, Outcomes, and Outputs
• Analyzing Feasibility, Desirability, and Viability
• Moving to Action with Key Questions
• When to Iterate in Models vs. Code

Originally presented at Nebraska.Code() and Heartland Developers Conference in Omaha. It has been updated and revised with feedback and new experiences.