Tag Archives: Information Theory

The Four Impostors: Success, Failure, Knowledge Creation, and Learning

Some product developers observe that failures are almost always present on the path to economic success.  “Celebrate failures,” they say. Others argue that failures are irrelevant as long as we extract knowledge along the way. “Create knowledge,” they advise. Still others reason that, if our real goal is success, perhaps we should simply aim for success. “Prevent failures and do it right the first time,” they suggest. And others assert that we can move beyond the illusion of success and failure by learning from both. “Create learning,” they propose.  Unfortunately, by focusing on failure rates, or knowledge creation, or success rates, or even learning we miss the real issue in product development. Continue reading

Please Wear Your Clown Hat When You Celebrate Failure

A recent column in Wired magazine recounted the story of the 5,127 prototypes used to create the first Dyson vacuum cleaner. In this column, Sir James Dyson notes his similarity to Thomas Edison, who said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Dyson appears to take pride in his 5,127 prototypes as emblematic of the persistence and fortitude of an entrepreneur. In contrast, I think this extraordinary number of unsuccessful trials may illustrate a very fundamental misconception about innovation. Continue reading