Innovation Via Biomimicry – What You Said

The results are in, and once again they tell an interesting story.  In our most recent poll, we asked if you are employing biomimicry as a source of innovation inspiration.  The results can be seen to the right.  I find two things very interesting about these results.

Of most interest is that over 40% of respondents are unfamiliar with what biomimicry is.  With the tremendous speed with which science and technology evolve, it is hard to stay abreast of everything under the sun.  However, innovation practitioners have a unique mandate to do just that.  Our ability to drive innovation sustainably is directly related to our ability to harness available global knowledge and experience across many disparate domains. 

Biomimicry is the practice of studying the solutions of nature and looking for ways of repurposing the best solution which have withstood the crucible of natural selection to our innovation challenges.  Biomimicry has emerged in recent years as a very fertile and rich method for tapping into the wisdom of nature.  For more information on this valuable technique, check out the Biomimicry Institute.  You might also find this two part interview with John Bradford of Interface an interesting example of how one company has put biomimicry to work.

Biomimicry and Sustainable Innovation: Part 1

Biomimicry and Sustainable Innovation: Part 2

It is also interesting that among those who are aware of biomimicry, the responses were evenly split as to whether you use the method or not.  I am not sure how to interpret this result.  What do you think?

Once again, your participation in the innovation poll has provided an interesting picture of the state of innovation.  Please remember to vote in the latest poll on which types of innovation initiatives will drive your company’s strategy in 2009.

Comments

[Drew Boyd]

Jim, thanks for another useful survey and your insights about it. I had read the book,"Biomimicry," but I am still unclear how best to use it from a process (step-by-step) point-of-view. Do you start with an observation of a solution in nature, then work backwards to see if it solves any of your issues? Or, do you start with your innovation problem and go find solutions in nature that might work? Do you know who has most experience and success with this?

Thanks,

Drew

[James Todhunter]

Hi, Drew!

Think of biomimicry as another lens through which to view the problems of innovation.

Today in your organization, you are already applying principles of structured innovation and specifically a simplified TRIZ methodology. This approach leads you to consider abstractions of specific problems and then consider which well understood principles can be applied to the reformulated problems.

This type of solution by analogy process is a recurring theme in many structured innovation methods. The same is true in the approach to applying biomimicry. The first step is to understand what the problem is that you need to address. This is generally a more fruitful and expedient approach than the solution-seeking-a-problem method. With the problem understood, you can start exploring the ways in which nature has solved a similar problem. This is basically what John Bradford describes in the podcast posted above.

How do you look for examples of nature’s solutions? There are a few different approaches. Some companies bring in subject matter experts (SMEs). This can work well for a single targeted project. However, for longer view, sustainable (no pun intended) innovation program, this approach is insufficient and not very scalable. Technology is needed to integrate relevant information into the innovation process when it is needed and in a form that is actionable. Harnessing data on bio-system effects into your design intent based innovation information delivery system enables you to apply biomimicry to your efforts without any additional effort.

-- Jim

[Tim McGee]

@Drew - great question, and one we at the Biomimicry Guild handle all the time.

The Biomimicry Guild is a for profit organization founded by Janine Benyus and Dayna Baumeister around 10 years ago. I have worked there for almost 2 years now, and have seen the many ways Biomimicry has helped innovation within a wide range of companies and projects.

You can approach biomimicry from many directions. As an innovation and inspiration tool (akin to TRIZ methodology in many ways as commented above).

You can also approach biomimicry as a design ethos for sustainability.

We like to say you can think of Nature as a Model, a Measure, and a Mentor. You can learn from life how to solve a problem, and how to solve it in context of the available energy, materials, and processes inherent in a system. Fundamentally, all design solutions should aim to achieve two goals:

1. Adapt and Evolve to Ever Changing Circumstances

2. Create Conditions Conducive to Life

By going out and observing life you can learn a great deal about how to achieve these two overarching design challenges to any project or product.