Innovation and Process
Many people would say I am a process junky because of my extensive experience at IBM DB2, and many years of practicing sophisticated software development processes to build large scale mission critical enterprise software. The perception from people who don’t know me well is their perfect reality. Indeed, Elizabeth is a process junky on paper from afar.
People who know me well see a different Elizabeth, who has a passion for innovation. Research, innovation and creativity inspire me, and fuel me through many “boring” days and activities. Without innovation, one would never paint the most moving scenes and objects; one could never build killer apps. Without innovation, the iPhone would never reach our palms.
Well, can we build an iPhone without any process? Despite the many birth defects the iPhone IV born with, it went through very strict processes to achieve such consistency, friendly user interface and it is a piece of art.
When I go to an empty parking lot, I can zigzag whatever way I want. I can be as creative and I can drive as slow or fast as I wish. When a few more cars appear on the parking lot however, I have to be less creative in my driving pattern and, follow the parking lot rules to avoid an accident. When I drive on 101 along with others at 65 mph, I have to follow the traffic rules and speed. However, my mind can be as creative as I wish. My car can be decorated and equipped with creative colors and gadgets no matter where and when I drive.
When we are alone, facing an empty parking lot, a piece of fresh canvas, or a new MS file, let our imagination and creativity fly. When we are facing a half filled parking lot, a half filled canvas, or a half page essay; rules, theme, and consistency have to work with our creativity to complete our creative painting, touching essay or drivng safety.
When we are on a high speed highway, when our peers are all working at 65 mph, to construct sophisticated critical missions, rules and processes have to be there to ensure high speed parallel driving and avoid fatal crashes. Processes ensure that everyone can be as innovative as they can in their creative mind, the whole team can move at 65 mph without crashing into each other.
Processes can be innovation killers if the goal is all about orders and rules, Processes can stimulate team creativity and enhance team productivity when our goal is to build the most innovative products that solve customers’ problems and they love to use. The key differentiator is whether the leader of the team knows how to fuel creativity and enforce rules and processes at the same time.
Elizabeth Xu
People who know me well see a different Elizabeth, who has a passion for innovation. Research, innovation and creativity inspire me, and fuel me through many “boring” days and activities. Without innovation, one would never paint the most moving scenes and objects; one could never build killer apps. Without innovation, the iPhone would never reach our palms.
Well, can we build an iPhone without any process? Despite the many birth defects the iPhone IV born with, it went through very strict processes to achieve such consistency, friendly user interface and it is a piece of art.
When I go to an empty parking lot, I can zigzag whatever way I want. I can be as creative and I can drive as slow or fast as I wish. When a few more cars appear on the parking lot however, I have to be less creative in my driving pattern and, follow the parking lot rules to avoid an accident. When I drive on 101 along with others at 65 mph, I have to follow the traffic rules and speed. However, my mind can be as creative as I wish. My car can be decorated and equipped with creative colors and gadgets no matter where and when I drive.
When we are alone, facing an empty parking lot, a piece of fresh canvas, or a new MS file, let our imagination and creativity fly. When we are facing a half filled parking lot, a half filled canvas, or a half page essay; rules, theme, and consistency have to work with our creativity to complete our creative painting, touching essay or drivng safety.
When we are on a high speed highway, when our peers are all working at 65 mph, to construct sophisticated critical missions, rules and processes have to be there to ensure high speed parallel driving and avoid fatal crashes. Processes ensure that everyone can be as innovative as they can in their creative mind, the whole team can move at 65 mph without crashing into each other.
Processes can be innovation killers if the goal is all about orders and rules, Processes can stimulate team creativity and enhance team productivity when our goal is to build the most innovative products that solve customers’ problems and they love to use. The key differentiator is whether the leader of the team knows how to fuel creativity and enforce rules and processes at the same time.
Elizabeth Xu
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