Engineering Design and Innovation Methods

**3**

**2. Research**

**Chapter 1**

Situations

change management situations.

sector as well as for whole economies.

**1. Introduction**

*Stig Ottosson*

**Abstract**

How to Deal with Quantum

Leap Innovations and Free-Fall

When a quantum leap innovation enters the market, other competing companies

can get in negative chaos and free fall situations for their businesses. To change such a situation, the use of controlled self-organization principles, for example, as prescribed by the Planetary Organization principles, can be valuable. This chapter, which is based on dynamic/flexible/agile philosophies and participatory action research from three industrial cases, mainly deals with the question how to develop quantum leap innovations and how to survive free fall situations. For both situations, creativity, improvisation, and dynamic development are essential ingredients for success. The chapter also gives some useful tips on how to successfully handle

**Keywords:** innovation, dynamic principles, organization, planning methods

"Innovation" has become almost a buzzword that has no one single definition of what it means. In general, it is a positively loaded term that brings hope in difficult times for actors in the private sector, the public sector, and the idealistic (nonprofit)

However, to create successful innovations is complex and often influenced by unforeseen possibilities and situations as well as problems to overcome for which no known solutions exist. Even more unclear is how to develop "sustainable innovations," although we might have an intuitive feeling that the expression refers to

This paper deals with some experiences from three practical innovation projects.

The paper is based on participatory action research (PAR) [1] from three industrial cases with three start situations: the development of SKF New Products (SNP) and the business unit FlexLink, the development of a new product of Careva system AB based on an invention, and the change management of Frontec Research &

All three cases were successful although the development was not as smooth as

developing something good for the society and its inhabitants.

wanted or wished. The findings are highlighted in this paper.
