Jugaad Innovation: A reference point or Indigenous solution.

For many decades a pipeline bursting with research projects represented innovation potential of an commercial organisation. All research did not result in commercial gains, technology push model was replaced by Stage Gate model  , evaluating technology potency & market attractiveness at every stage and killing lurking disasters  at early stage gained acceptance. Now, with Open Innovation, enterprises look beyond universities and competitors for  supply of ideas/ talent.

In catching up economy like India , innovations initially flowed from Joint ventures , technology acquisition contracts and creative imitation. India is at cross roads ( for long since liberalization & globalization of 90's) ; there are experts who suggest we should learn best practices from Indian MNC R&D centers operating in India. An opposite view also prevails, there are experts who feel that we have something unique to offer to other nations, in the area of Innovation & entrepreneurship. 

Prof Rishikesha

Prof Rishikesha addressed several policy issues in this earlier book `From Jugaad to Systematic Innovation' and now addresses innovation at firm level in his book 8 Steps to Innovation.Co-Author. consultant Vinay codifies his decades of learning from consultancy and training. The book is all about managing idea funnel effectively. Managing idea funnel involves pursuing three goals: one, building and sustaining the idea pipeline, two Improving idea velocity, and three improving the batting average.

Step 1: lay the foundation.A well designed idea management process pays attention to the source of ideas, their scope, the number of stages an idea will go through, the back end technology to be used, the idea selection process and how ideas will be supported and sponsored.

Step2: create a challenge book, where the organization identifies and lists problems, desires, needs .banks on collective wisdom of its people to address them.

Step3: build participation. Motivating individuals to participate in an innovation Programme is an important challenge.

Step 4: experiment with low cost at high speed. And experiment is a planned activity to validate one or more assumptions of an idea. The outcome of experiment is learning.

Step5: go fast from prototyping to incubation. Organizations can help ideas move faster by holding effective innovation reviews an by supporting the incubation of new ideas.

Step 6: iterate on the business model. Use scenarios.

Step7:build an innovation sand box. Identify the boundaries and constraints within which the experimentation takes place.

Step 8: create a margin of safety so that failures do not cripple permanently.
The result is a practical work book and innumerable Indian examples create a can-do feel.
Navi Radjou
The authors of popular book `Jugaad Innovation', Navi Radjou, Jaideep Prabhu & Simone Ahuja project Jugaad as an unique Indian Innovation solution. Some excerpts:
Principles of Jugaad innovation- frugality, flexibility and following yr instincts.
Jugaad mindset- one that is frugal,flexible and sharply focused on outcomes.
Jugaad reflects a rich Indian tradition of ingenuity in the face of challenge.
Jugaad represents a bottom up innovation model that India excels in.
The six principles of Jugaad:
1.Seek opportunity in adversity
2.Do more with less
3.Thank an act flexibly
4.Keep it simple
5.Include the margin
6.Follow your heart.


The supportive illustrations include grass root innovators, Airtel of Mittal, Nano car of Tata , open source software company Ushahidi , Newsoft from China and Steve jobs.

In my opinion,the distinguished authors presented a compilation of best innovations from across the globe and label them wrongly under Jugaad.  

what is your view?