Idea Work is a research project that sets out to understand and professionalise the way ideas are created, combined, prioritised and implemented in organisations.
Did you know that one of the largest oil discoveries was done on a napkin?
In Idea Work we look for the most critical zones in value creation: How do good ideas come about? What is needed to capture and keep ideas alive? How do you separate the exceptionally good ideas from the ideas that are just good? What motivates people to break boundaries and do something extraordinary? Why are some able to act on ideas, others not? What brings life to idea work?
We want to understand and professionalise the collective idea work in Norwegian companies and challenge the unproductive myths about creativity. We do this together with leading companies like Statoil, Snøhetta, Point Carbon, Thommessen and Sparebank 1 Alliansen. Over a period of 3,5 years these companies will further develop their own practice for idea work, learn from each other’s experiences and contribute with research-based insight and new methods, in cooperation with SINTEF Technology and Society.
On this site you will find everything from the Creative driver fortune teller, giving you a taste of what drives extraordinary idea work, to Idea Assist; providing you with practices for informal collegial support in idea work, and the best ways to kill and unleash creativity.
The Norne field was where the big oil discovery happened. The geologists had searched the area for a while and there were more to it than just the napkin. But ground – breaking ideas are rarely born in front of the computer. They come alive in the dialogue around a sketch. Unplugged.
See also
- Research approach
- Some of the questions we pursue
- Idea work – What’s that?
- Why is Idea Work important?
- How to kill/unleash creativity
In brief
The project started April 1, 2008 and will run for 3,5 years.
It is co-sponsored by the Research Council of Norway through its BIA program as a KMB (development of competence with user participation).
The total budget exceeds 18 million NOK.
SINTEF Technology and Society leads the project. We collaborate with leading international research groups in USA, Australia and England.
For more information about Idea Work, download a presentation here.