The Five Uncertainties of Innovation

Innovation is not complicated; it's the uncertainties that make it difficult. This article discusses five uncertainties that prevent innovation and provides solutions to address them. Strategic uncertainty is common, so executives should clarify corporate strategies and goals. Outcome uncertainty happens when the team doesn't understand what they need to produce, so the sponsor or potential implementer should indicate the acceptable range of options. Communication uncertainty occurs when the organization is not informed of the innovation team's goals, leading to suspicion and noncollaboration. Success uncertainty is the fear of failure, so investing in the right tools and techniques can increase the likelihood of success. Commitment uncertainty is when innovation team members are hesitant to commit time to the project, so recruiting volunteers or incorporating innovation into evaluation forms can eliminate uncertainty.