Creating great products involves problem-solving at every stage of development. Sometimes the barriers faced by the team seem insurmountable and the activity intense. But ultimately, when great teams are fully focused on the task at hand, and in a state of flow, there is little they can’t do. They innovate.
Lean Product Development Innovation in China
The video below demonstrates innovation at its best at the packaging stage of a wind turbine project in China. The problem: how to get 52.4 meter (170 foot), 80-ton wind turbine blades to the top of a mountain. (Flow is the state of optimal experience. We will talk more about flow throughout this series and what it means for project teams.)
As you will see, the mountain roads in this Chinese province are full of switchbacks and run through small villages with buildings on either side. A hydraulic system is used to lift and turn the blades to avoid obstacles such as trees, high voltage power lines, and buildings. It’s truly amazing.
This post is the first installation in our series on innovation, problem-solving and creating flow in new product development. Keep an eye out for more inspiring stories on how teams are creating great products, and solving big problems, all in the spirit of achieving flow and having a positive impact on the world we live in!
