Cultural innovation in software design: the new impact of innovation planning methods

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe innovation planning methods used at Microsoft.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the cultural environment and changes that needed to occur to implement these methods and looks at a selection of product development efforts at Microsoft that used these methods and were successful.

Findings

This paper shares the steps taken to enable innovation planning methods to be successful organizationally and describes the specific approaches that were most successful from a product development perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The findings demonstrate that innovation in the large enterprise is a repeatable and reproducible process when the right environment and methods are utilized.

Practical implications

Because enterprises are increasingly being called on to provide breakthrough and disruptive innovations innovation planning methods are increasingly becoming a necessary core discipline that is required in the enterprise.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to all readers and organizations that want to enable innovation planning methods in large enterprises.

Citation

Bernard, C. (2009), "Cultural innovation in software design: the new impact of innovation planning methods", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 30 No. 2/3, pp. 57-69. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756660910942472