{"id":18544,"date":"2020-06-30T10:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hatrabbits.com\/?p=18544"},"modified":"2020-06-29T17:27:26","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T15:27:26","slug":"how-to-innovate-1-combine-tasks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hatrabbits.com\/en\/how-to-innovate-1-combine-tasks\/","title":{"rendered":"How to innovate – part one: combine tasks"},"content":{"rendered":"

A suitcase with a built-in scale, a watch that measures your heart rate or a toilet that medically analyses your stool. These are only a few examples of the many products and services that combine tasks.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In this short blog series, I will share some of the most powerful thinking techniques to develop new products and services. In this first article: the combining-technique.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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How to combine tasks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Usually, you want a well-defined problem before you start generating ideas. Sometimes, however, it pays off to simply look for opportunities. After all, there is always a better way<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Step 1. List all elements of your subject<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Make a list of all the parts that form your product, process or problem. These can be internal<\/em> parts like a button, a sensor or a screen, but also external<\/em> parts like the user, a gas station or a wall socket. List all internal and external elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2. Select one element and give it a new task<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pick one listed element and assign it the task currently linked to another element.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are three ways to do this:<\/p>\n

1. Make an external part take over the task of an internal part<\/h4>\n

Example: a hand-crank flashlight<\/a><\/span>. The flashlight is one with the user. An internal part (the battery) has been replaced by an external part (the squeezing movement of the user).<\/p>\n

2. Make an internal part take over the task of another internal part<\/h4>\n

Example: the Copenhagen Wheel, an electric motor and bicycle wheel combined.
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