Carlson and Wilmot set out to make Innovation a Discipline. By this, they mean that it can be understood and taught to others. They reference an awesome quote on this subject:

“Whenever something – anything – is to be produced, there must be rules, or a systematized method of producing it. …that system has a deciding effect on product quality, cost, safety, and all essential determinants of success of failure.”

This quote is attributed to Toyota and I love it. In short, we need systems – rules, procedures, processes, culture, standard operating procedures, etc. – to produce things. Shit doesn’t magically produce itself.

If you want innovation, you have to make it happen deliberately.

This book is all about how to do that.