Methodology for Lean Design of Disruptive Innovations

In sustainable economies, disruptive innovations are welcome to balance the gap between the intrinsic value of technological innovations and the economic value perceived by various customer segments, as well as to transform some segments of non-consumers into consumers. Starting from the characteristics of disruptive innovation and using a structured problem solving method, a lean design methodology to support disruptiveness is proposed in this paper. Lean comes from the fact that the design process is structured to reduce ineffectiveness and maximize value. It combines market analysis with business model innovation and directed system evolution, together with a proposition of ten inventive vectors for provoking disruption of existent technologies in the market. A test of the methodology within the field of technologies for smart buildings is presented.