As we have discussed, systems are the object of particular designs. The components, or parts, of a specific system can be either real or abstract. Components comprise an aggregate “whole” where each component of a system interacts with at least one other component of the system. To innovate is to make “improvements by introducing something new”. A noteworthy innovation must be substantially different, not an insignificant change or adjustment. Innovations can be tangible or intangible, radical or incremental.
Systems innovators are individuals who design and implement innovations. To design refers to the process of developing a structural plan for an object. Designers seek the requirements and expectations, identify the objectives and measurements of success, give structure to the elements, and form to the components of systems. Success or failure hinges on the ability of systems innovators, as designers, to attain the proper requirements and expectations of a system.
As a systems innovator, you should be mindful of the increasingly complex environment of our global world. You should seek out the connections and layers among systems. If you spot new connections or uncover a new layer, you may also identify radical innovations. Sometimes the most important part of being an innovator is having the wisdom to know when to form partnerships and with whom to make friends. You should also remember that all human systems are artificial. By “artificial,” we mean that human systems would not exist naturally in the world without humans. Part of innovating is identifying when the rules of a system, be it an organization or information system, could be modified. You should seek to identify what are the rules of a human system. As a systems innovator, you should be open to asking “why” a certain rule is in place and allow yourself to consider what would happen if that rule was changed.
As a final important point, systems innovators achieve “magic.” By “magic,” we mean that innovations designed by systems innovators allow abilities or feats that were previously not possible or realistically feasible. If innovations allow the impossible to be technologically possible, innovations allow “magic.” New, innovative technologies often allow such innovation, thereby helping humanity to reshape the natural world.
Humans have a long history of using new technologies to overcome the physical limitations of human beings. For example, the use of a plow and the irrigation of crops allowed humans to productively farmland and grow crops. By growing crops, humanity began to build settlements (which themselves began to use new technologies like levels, bricks, hammers, and nails). These technologies helped human civilization to grow. With civilization, humanity began to focus on things beyond immediate, short-term survival – to include education. Education is only possible because we have technologies that allow other human individuals to grow enough food for individuals beyond themselves. We can go to school because others will work while we are studying and provide the necessary resources for our society to function, including running water, electricity, healthcare systems, construction of buildings, transportation systems, and more.
In a sense, all the systems that we discussed at the start of this chapter are a result of innovations and human technologies that have allowed us to reshape our world. Civilization is possible by employing innovative technologies and systems that allow humanity to think beyond short-term survival and pursue education, research, global commerce, foreign relations, and even fun recreational activities like books, movies, and television.
Innovations are “magic” – they reshape the natural world. Humans use tools to accomplish tasks that were either not feasible or impossible. Innovative tools also increase the effectiveness of systems and individuals. Historically, human use of tools has allowed us to extend our physical abilities. Now, with information systems, there is the unique opportunity for human beings to extend not only their physical abilities, but also our cognitive abilities. Not only can we work better or faster, but also we might be able to think better or faster as an individual or organization. All of this will be possible through future innovations.
Innovative information systems in the last 40 years have already dramatically changed our world, to include faster, global transactions between people and the ability to collaborate and electronically share commerce, government, or entertainment-related activities with millions of people. Innovative information systems of the future will achieve what we would label “magic” today. As a systems innovator, the fruits of your successful innovations will not only produce new knowledge, new products, profits, and increased organizational effectiveness – your innovations will also achieve that which previously was impossible or infeasible.
Our closing advice: search for beneficial, new ideas. Through your efforts, bold innovations will produce the world of tomorrow.
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