I’m thinking a bit about preparing vs planning. Especially when it comes to building new things aka innovation.
Planning can be rigid and lead us down specific paths. The idea of knowing the destination and just going along.
Preparing is about setting the stage, building capabilities and staying flexible.
3M, the company behind every agile coach’s favorite accessory (the Post-it), prepares for innovation by giving employees 15% of their time to experiment and spot opportunities. One such opportunity was the failed adhesive experiment that lead to a somewhat sticky mess that made up the adhesive for post-its.
This approach to culture set the stage for innovation to emerge naturally rather than forcing it through rigid plans.
Another example is Design Sprints, a five day workshop that originated from Google Ventures which purpose is to verify a new idea. Planning handles the schedule, the five days and their structure. But the real magic comes from preparation: identifying the right challenge, finding the right people to interview, and selecting the right participants. Without proper preparation, even a perfectly planned sprint won’t lead to meaningful innovation.
While planning is crucial for execution, preparing is key for innovation.