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717 ways for product or service innovation

For innovators “with a lot of patience”

and a sense for a systematic approach:

Make it …

…allowing it to float.

…allowing it to fly.

…adding internal safeguards.

…making it easier to analyze or interpret.

…reducing its number of moving parts.

…increasing its storage capacity.

…increasing its operating capacity.

…making it easier to setup or assemble.

…shortening the amount of time it needs for start up.

…making it easier to disassemble or take-apart.

…partitioning it into more sections.

…removing partitions or dividers.

…making it more adaptable to changing conditions.

…turning some parts upside down, backwards or inside-out.

…making it collapsible or retractable.

…making it more multi-sensory.

…making it more user modifiable or customizable.

…making it more multi-layered.

…making it multi-functional like a Swiss Army knife.

…making it better interface or connect with existing designs.

…making it user updateable to avoid obsolescence.

…making it self replenishing.

…making it user serviceable or repairable.

…making it operate in all weather conditions.

…modeling it after an antique design.

…giving it more safety features.

…giving it an automatic start-up and/or shut-off when needed.

…making it still function even if some parts fail.

…making it self-cleaning.

…making it more environmentally sound.

…giving it more room for expansion.

…making it more diversified.

…changing its number of layers or levels.

…changing its spaciousness.

…increasing the strength of one of its forces.

…making its outcome or effects more certain.

…making it imitate nature or a natural process.

…containing it in some type of frame, box or outline.

…containing it in a tube or cylindrical shape.

…bending or twisting it.

…changing how it interacts with its users.

…changing the size of its initial implementation.

…giving it an escape hatch or emergency exit.

…making its most variable or unstable part more stable.

…making its most difficult task easier to perform.

…making its most expensive part cheaper.

…making its most complex component simpler.

…increasing its calculating speed.

…increasing the area of its coverage.

…causing it to encourage a different type of attitude.

…making it more likely to be accepted.

…decreasing its internal resistance.

…decreasing its external resistance.

…making it more influential over others.

…changing its timing between events or activities.

…making it cyclic.

…linking its timing to a daily cycle.

…linking its timing to a weekly cycle.

…linking its timing to a monthly cycle.

…linking its timing to a quarterly annual cycle.

…linking its timing to a half-year or annual cycle.

…making its timing more regular or precise.

…linking its outcome to the outcome of other solutions.

…having it give more feedback on its current condition.

…controlling its actions based on external feedback.

…linking its performance to available resources.

…linking its timing to a fixed schedule.

…allowing it to operate on a more flexible schedule.

…making its timing more convenient to its users.

…making its timing or actions appear more spontaneous.

…reducing the amount of input needed.

…building in rules or policies to govern its actions.

…making it more based on existing rules.

…making it better address the needs of the group.

…making it more comfortable.

…changing how it is measured or assessed.

…making it warmer or hotter.

…making it cooler or colder.

…adding more value or worth to it.

…making it more extreme.

…making it more self-sustaining.

…making it more appealing to international users.

…making it meet the needs of more types of people.

…exaggerating some aspect of it.

…strengthening its foundation or base.

…making it more influential.

…accelerating its rate of growth or development.

…making it more likely to receive favorable publicity.

…slowing its rate of growth or development.

…making it easier to replace any malfunctioning parts.

…making it harder to imitate or copy.

…substituting its main ingredient or material.

…rearranging its sequence of steps.

…changing its internal processes.

…integrating in the concept of a chain reaction.

…enabling it to be shut down on a moment’s notice.

…making it theft-proof.

…making it musical or better sounding.

…applying the theory of behavior modification.

…synchronizing the interactions of its internal components.

…making its actions occur simultaneously with other actions.

…making it simpler.

…changing its number of steps.

…skipping a step.

…adding in a new step.

…making it more complex or elaborate.

…making it more overlapping with other things.

…giving it a more hierarchical arrangement.

…giving it a more circular or spiral arrangement.

…making it more interconnected with its environment.

…making it more mathematically or numerically based.

…making it more theoretically based.

…making it more scientifically based or grounded.

…arranging its elements in a grid or matrix like pattern.

…arranging its elements in a branching tree-like pattern.

…arranging its elements in a circular pattern.

…arranging its elements in concentric circles.

…arranging its elements in a star shaped pattern.

…arranging its elements in a spider-web like pattern.

…arranging it in a maze or labyrinth like pattern.

…moving one or more parts closer to the edge.

…making it parallel or aligned with something else.

…changing or redesigning its chain of command.

…making it appear more random, irregular or naturally arranged.

…sandwiching it in-between two similar elements.

…making aromatic or scented.

…making it a composite of different types of materials.

…making it camouflaged or harder to detect.

…making it easier to clean.

…making it from recycled materials, parts or concepts.

…making it fire proof.

…making it washable.

…making it water proof or water repellent.

…improving its price/performance ratio.

…making it look more expensive.

…making it unbreakable.

…making it more pure.

…making it easier to keep updated.

…making it disposable.

…making it easily replaceable.

…making it out of ready-made or premixed materials.

…making it mimic the property of another material.

…making it more affordable.

…making some or all of it biodegradable.

…making it bullet proof.

…making it resistant to attacks.

…making it more reflective.

…making it more sound reflecting.

…making it appear less raw or more refined.

…making it appear that it comes from natural origins.

…making it shatter proof.

…making it sound absorbing.

…making it richly textured.

…making it safe for children.

…making it more pliable or flexible.

…making it more permeable or porous.

…making it non-permeable, non-porous or non-absorbent.

…making it more puffed up or enlarged.

…making it naturally colored.

…making it more rigid or firm.

…making it more heat resistant.

…making it more cold resistant.

…reducing its cost.

…making it simpler to implement.

…making it easier to transport or relocate.

…making it more portable.

…dividing it into two stand-alone components.

…making it more convenient to use.

…reducing its reliance on a key component.

…making it appear more unified or less cluttered.

…increasing its source of motivation, energy or drive.

…making it smaller.

…making it shorter.

…making it larger.

…making it taller.

…making it thinner.

…making it lighter.

…making it thicker.

…making it heavier.

…making it deeper or taller.

…making it shorter or shallower.

…making it more compact, abbreviated or miniaturized.

…reducing it to its lowest common denominator.

…giving it an early warning system to announce problems.

…making it more efficient.

…making it more elastic or stretchable.

…making it easier to grow and reduce or expand and contract.

…making it operate more smoothly.

…turning one of its weaknesses into a strength.

…turning one of its liabilities into an asset.

…giving it a more classical appearance or design.

…rearranging the main events in its life cycle.

…making it appealing to a different type of person.

…making it more stable or unchanging.

…changing the way it moves.

…synchronizing its actions or movements.

…making it more animated or more kinetic.

…changing its source of energy, propulsion or motivation.

…changing its sequence of events or activities.

…reversing the direction of its flow.

…making its various pieces appear to go with each other.

…making it easier to mass produce, duplicate or replicate.

…making it look or act like a well known object or process.

…designing it to work in both a forward and reverse direction.

…reversing its main action or direction.

…reversing its sequence of events, activities or actions.

…making it reversible or undoable.

…reversing its foreground with its background.

…changing the way its elements or parts are held together.

…making it from a completely different type of material.

…making it reusable.

…making it out of more high tech or space-age materials.

…substituting its key material for a one that is more popular.

…making it blend in with its surrounding environment.

…making it easier to change its look or appearance.

…making it appeal to more senses (e.g. sight, sound, touch).

…making it more intense, focused or attention grabbing.

…making it more visible or easier to see.

…making it lower key, softer or gentler.

…making it tougher or more durable.

…changing its texture or how it feels.

…changing its acoustical properties.

…making it chameleon like.

…changing its aroma.

…adding safeguards against abuse.

…making it less likely to cause conflict.

…making it exploit your personal strengths.

…making it less stressful to use.

…making it run or operate more slowly.

…making its rate of movement more steady or predictable.

…making one of its stationary parts moveable.

…adding controls to maintain its quality.

…making it more motivating.

…making it more self-correcting.

…making it more self-adjusting.

…making one of its movable parts stationary.

…adding a thermostat like device to control its operation.

…giving it a stronger shielding or protective coating.

…making it remote controlled.

…making it more mechanized or mechanical.

…making it operate faster or more quickly.

…making it more adjustable or configurable.

…designing it to run in either fully-automatic or manual mode.

…making it better able to sense and respond to its environment.

…computerizing it.

…adding controls to keep it on schedule.

…giving it a feedback loop.

…designing it to learn from its own mistakes.

…giving it multiple sources of energy, power or motivation.

…toning down or de-emphasizing its most noticeable component.

…strengthening its underlying cause or reason for being.

…making it more rewarding.

…redistributing its parts into a completely new configuration.

…fortifying it against outside pressures.

…increasing its speed, velocity or frequency.

…decreasing its speed, velocity or frequency.

…making its errors easier to pinpoint and diagnose.

…adding in a counter-balancing force.

…adding more checks and balances.

…making it self diagnosing.

…reducing its friction when interacting with other things.

…making it fit more harmoniously into its surroundings.

…making it more visual.

…making it self illuminating.

…amplifying its least noticeable part or aspect.

…making it more interactive.

…redistributing its weight.

…making it more sensitive to its surroundings or environment.

…sequencing its elements from smallest to largest.

…sequencing its elements in chronological order.

…sequencing its elements by their importance.

…sequencing its elements by their cost.

…regrouping its elements according to their functions.

…regrouping its elements according to their categories.

…changing its energy requirements.

…changing its weight.

…increasing its cost.

…increasing the pressure or force it exerts upon other things.

…decreasing the pressure or force it exerts upon other things.

…changing the type of things it acts upon.

…increasing its power.

…making it less responsive to temperature changes.

…making it more responsive to temperature changes.

…making it more resistant to stress.

…making it more resistant to external pressure.

…giving it a more modern appearance.

…giving it a more trendy look.

…making it superficially appear more similar to prior solutions

…enhancing its main ability or function.

…making it promote more positive attitudes.

…making it smarter or more intelligent.

…making it relate more to existing needs or wants.

…making it more unique or different from other approaches.

…positioning it closer to the thing it will act on.

…making it more artistic.

…making it more aesthetic.

…enabling it to be self propelled or run on its own power.

…changing the distance between its parts or components.

…decreasing the number of functions it performs.

…substituting a material for one with multiple functions.

…reversing the function or action performed by a key part.

…increasing the number of ways it can move.

…making its parts or aspects reusable.

…allowing it to still function even if a key part fails.

…making it more attractive to those who might use it.

…eliminating most or all nonessential parts.

…extracting just its essence.

…eliminating a function or action.

…eliminating a nonessential part, component or step.

…making a section of it detachable or removable.

…taking it to a higher level of abstraction.

…making its design more balanced.

…eliminating all inconsistent parts.

…making its design symmetrical.

…making its design asymmetrical.

…making it more patient or able to endure delays.

…making it more enduring or permanent.

…making it occur or take effect sooner.

…making it more responsive to external demands.

…enabling it to speed up other things.

…making it less dependent on the actions of others.

…linking its timing to the timing of other events or actions.

…making its effects or consequences last longer.

…making it able to operate for longer periods of time.

…building in planned obsolescence when and where appropriate.

…improving its timing.

…changing its timing.

…changing the guidelines under which it operates.

…changing one of its main methods or key procedures.

…reorganizing its elements by similar needs or functions.

…pairing together complementary elements.

…making it more organized.

…making it more encircling.

…inserting an element that no one would expect.

…making it able to operate at different speeds or rates.

…making it less crowded.

…making it more modular, stackable or Lego block like.

…making it appear more natural.

…making it richer or more luxurious.

…giving it more visual or conceptual contrast.

…making it promote more cooperation or teamwork.

…making it share responsibilities with others.

…increasing its number of interconnections.

…reducing any potential conflict of interests.

…linking it to an historical event.

…linking it to an historical object.

…making it more harmonious.

…making it better promote or fit into a coalition.

…making it less complex.

…basing it on a known principle or formula.

…making it smoothly blend into its environment.

…sorting its elements into a different order.

…making it behave in a way that people would expect.

…changing its internal structure or infra-structure.

…making it more moldable or bendable.

…giving it more traditional shape or appearance.

…making its strongest point even stronger.

…making it physically stronger.

…making it politically stronger.

…strengthening a weak component or aspect.

…making it more assertive.

…putting it under fewer controls or constraints.

…putting it under more controls or constraints.

…reinforcing its foundation.

…substituting in stronger materials.

…strengthening its interconnections.

…changing its position or location.

…making it more classy or prestigious.

…making its appearance more upscale.

…making it more richly furnished or equipped.

…making it more sparsely furnished or equipped.

…making it more complete or self-contained.

…specializing it for a single purpose or function.

…giving it more protection from harm.

…making it more centralized.

…making it more decentralized or distributed.

…giving it a more unique identity.

…making it more consistent or homogeneous with other things.

…making it more internally consistent or uniform.

…making it look like a well known object, thing or approach.

…making it more easily mix with other things or people.

…making it with synthetic compounds.

…designing it around historic engineering principles.

…adding a backup or alternate method for emergencies.

…giving it more functions or uses.

…making it more low tech.

…making it more high tech.

…making more of its pieces or components interchangeable.

…making it interchangeable.

…making its parts more independent of each other.

…making it more independent or self-reliant.

…making its parts more dependent on each other.

…integrating or tightly linking its various pieces together.

…making it more integrated or whole.

…making it less dependent or reliant on any one part.

…making its most critical part more reliable.

…making it safer to use.

…making it with more ready-made or off-the-shelf components.

…building it with ready-made or off-the-shelf components.

…making it self-starting.

…making it self-deactivating.

…giving it more variety.

…making it less uniform or homogenous.

…making it look more contrasting or self-opposing.

…making it stand out more from its background.

…allowing it to be started or activated in different ways.

…giving it more pizzazz or sparkle.

…giving it more human attributes or qualities.

…allowing it to work in a greater variety of situations.

…specializing it to work best in one specific situation.

…improving its communication or coordination with other things.

…making it easier to communicate with.

…giving it more security against theft.

…giving it protection against unauthorized use.

…making it easier to link to or combine with other things.

…allowing it to be more improvisational or spontaneous.

…giving it a funny or humorous aspect.

…making its form better match its function.

…adding a component or aspect that is very popular.

…making its parts more overlapping with each other.

…making it more self-maintaining or self-adjusting.

…improving its fit into the larger system that it is part of.

…making it more appealing to those who will have to use it.

…changing its starting time.

…changing its duration.

…synchronizing its timing with the timing of related events.

…coordinating its actions with the actions of others.

…increasing the amount of information associated with it.

…decreasing the amount of information associated with it.

…changing its minimum requirements.

…making its outcome or results more visible.

…eliminating the need for specific prerequisite events.

…making it less dependent on human judgement.

…making it more resistant to disruption or interference.

…reducing its resource requirements.

…increasing its yield given the same amount of input.

…making it less dependent on the support or approval of others.

…making it easier to test.

…giving it more controls.

…giving it an offensive capability.

…giving it a defensive capability.

…dividing it into separate stand-alone subcomponents.

…changing how its subcomponents interact with each other.

…changing how it fits into the bigger picture.

…increasing its ability to solve a problem at its root cause.

…enabling it to be produced with more existing resources.

…enabling its own waste products to be recycled.

…strengthening its cause-effect relationships.

…increasing the number of end-user benefits it delivers.

…giving it another advantage over its main alternative.

…making it stronger against its competing forces.

…enabling it to improve interpersonal relationships.

…making it better meet forecasted trends.

…making its success or failure easier to determine.

…making it less linear or sequential.

…making it more active.

…changing its conditions for delivering rewards.

…making it operate for shorter term outcomes.

…making it operate for longer term outcomes.

…increasing the strength of its single strongest part.

…simplifying its overall approach.

…making it operate more like a system.

…making it generalizable or transferable to other situations.

…making it more way-out or unusual.

…making it more quantitative.

…making it more logical.

…making it more tangible or real.

…making it more practical or utilitarian.

…making it more precise.

…making it more idealized.

…making it more liberal.

…making it more appealing to the person you respect the most.

…making it more at odds with conventional wisdom.

…making it more futuristic.

…making it based on known standards.

…making it easier to delegate.

…designing it to avoid known mistakes of the past.

…making it more detailed or intricate.

…making it more sophisticated.

…making it more alluring.

…making it more specific.

…making it more accurate.

…making it more representative.

…making it produce an outcome that is easier to evaluate.

…making it simulate a known action, function or process.

…making it take more advantage of known desires or motivations.

…making it more systematic.

…giving it more specifically defined boundaries or limits.

…designing in a shortcut or work around.

…making it less expensive.

…making it take more advantage of existing skills.

…making it more compatible with existing systems or methods.

…making it easier to install.

…making it easier to learn.

…making it easier to train others how to use.

…making it easier to maintain or repair.

…making it more reliable.

…making it more energy efficient.

…making it have lower maintenance cost.

…making it save more time.

…making it provide more security.

…making it offer more protection against harm.

…making it more healthy.

…making it more fun to use.

…designing it to be perceived as more exciting.

…making it intellectually interesting.

…enabling it to offer more autonomy and freedom.

…making it increase the amount of leisure time.

…making it reduce more stress and anxiety.

…making it reduce more uncertainty.

…making it generate more money.

…giving it more control over its situation.

…making it be seen as more credible or trustworthy.

…making it more consistent with community standards.

…making it more cost-effective.

…making it reduce more waste.

…making it reduce more inefficiency.

…reducing its wear and tear on the things it acts upon.

…reducing its operating costs.

…reducing its production costs.

…making it more satisfying or gratifying to use.

…making it more linked to the organization’s past successes.

…making it better exploit or capitalize on popular trends.

…putting it more on the cutting edge or the state of the art.

…making it better improve the quality of life.

…making it more self-enabling or self-empowering.

…arranging its elements in a honeycomb pattern.

…arranging its elements in a zig-zag or wave like pattern.

…arranging it in a checkerboard or crisscrossed pattern.

…arranging it in a diamond-shaped or rectangular pattern.

…making its surface appearance indicate its main function.

…making it visually attractive or striking.

…making its outer packaging or appearance more eye-catching.

…giving it a consistent visual theme or look.

…making it transparent, translucent or easier to see through.

…altering its curvature.

…altering its angularity.

…giving it more sharply defined angles.

…giving it softer or smoother edges.

…making it more shapeless or free-form.

…making it more geometric.

…making it more decorative, embellished or ornamented.

…making it more aerodynamic.

…giving it a slick designer look.

…making it more eye-catching or visually stunning.

…giving it a more streamlined appearance.

…changing its color scheme.

…changing the shape of its silhouette or outline.

…changing its physical shape or form.

…making it brightly colored.

…making it fluorescently colored.

…making it appear hand-crafted or made from natural materials.

…linking or synchronizing its visuals to its sounds.

…exploding a 2-dimensional part into a 3-dimensional part.

…flattening a 3-dimensional part into a 2 dimensional part.

…simplifying its color scheme.

…adding in another dimension.

…enabling a part to be removed and function on its own.

…making it more concentrated or dense.

…redefining the definition of a successful outcome.

…changing its emphasis from quantity to quality.

…reversing its order of cause and effect.

…making it less concentrated or less dense.

…making it more resistant to harsh or rough treatment.

…disguising it to look like something completely different.

…making it more friendly.

…making it easier to operate.

…changing how it behaves or acts.

…changing its degree or level of reactiveness.

…making it more self-aware or self-monitoring.

…changing its priorities.

…making it usable by people who don’t speak your language.

…substituting an ingredient or part for one with more quality.

…changing its ground rules.

…changing one of its basic assumptions.

…increasing the number or frequency of positive side effects.

…eliminating a negative side effect.

…taking more advantage of a side effect.

…making it convertible to serve another purpose.

…enabling it to change its configuration or shape more rapidly.

…making its pieces more loosely associated or connected.

…making it more heavenly.

…making it more flowing.

…making it more networked.

…raising one of its limits.

…making it take advantage of the principle of magnetism.

…making it more potent or powerful.

…giving it much higher impact.

…making it more appealing given the values held by its users.

…giving it snap together pieces.

…making it more silky or smooth.

…making its operation more consistent with its purpose.

…giving it a photographic memory.

…allowing it to operate under both wet and dry conditions.

…designing it to notify you when its low on energy or supplies.

…making it mimic or imitate the function of another device.

…giving it a more round shape.

…giving it an oval shape.

…giving it an egg shape.

…giving it more protection against uncertainty.

…making it take advantage of video technology.

…turning it into a pocket sized version.

…making it useful in both work and leisure.

…making its movements or actions more precise.

…making it easier to divide or subdivide.

…making it quieter.

…designing it to make more use of sound when communicating.

…giving it a more vertical design or organization.

…giving it a more horizontal design or organization.

…making it more arching or curving.

…making it immovable or stationary.

…making it easier to attach or connect to other things.

…making it spin around an axis (or a single concept).

…giving it a wider range or broader scope.

…giving it a conical or pyramidal shape.

…making it slimmer or sleeker.

…making it more bold or daring.

…making it operate over a greater range of temperatures.

…making it serve as an alternate to an existing approach.

…making it pop up and into service instantly upon demand.

…making its packaging better convey the benefits inside.

…allowing it to float.

…allowing it to fly.

…increasing its storage or carrying capacity.

…increasing its operating capacity.

…decreasing its internal resistance.

…decreasing its external resistance.

…linking its timing to a daily cycle.

…linking its timing to a weekly cycle.

…linking its timing to a monthly cycle.

…linking its timing to a quarterly cycle.

…linking its timing to a half-year cycle.

…linking its timing to an annual cycle.

…making it washable.

…making it water proof or water repellent.

…making it disposable.

…making it easily replaceable.

…making it bullet proof.

…making it resistant to attacks.

…making it more heat resistant.

…making it more cold resistant.

…making it smaller.

…making it shorter.

…making it larger.

…making it taller.

…making it more self-correcting.

…making it more adjusting.

…making it more resistant to stress.

…making it more resistant to external pressure.

…giving it a more modern look.

…giving it a more trendy look.

…making it more artistic.

…making it more aesthetic.

…linking it to a historical event.

…linking it to a historical object.

…making it self-starting.

…making it self-deactivating.

…making it reduce waste.

…making it reduce inefficiency.

…making it brightly colored.

…making it fluorescent colored.

…giving it a more round shape.

…giving it a more oval shape.

…increasing its performance level.

…making its parts recyclable.

…making its energy source solar powered.

…giving it more curves.

…making it voice controlled.

…adding voice features.

…linking it to a historical person.

…making its design more conservative.

…making its design less conservative.

…designing its controls to be more sensitive.

…designing it to be intellectually demanding.

…making it glow.

…making it usable by people who are visually impaired.

…making it usable by people who are hearing impaired.

…increasing its ability to perform complex tasks.

…increasing its ability to perform multiple tasks.

…making it take advantage of virtual reality technology.

…enabling it to be mobile.

…enabling to bounce up and down.

…making it safe for pets.

…adding an external power source.

…adding an internal power source.

…making it shock proof.

…increasing its raw power.

…giving it a propulsion system.

…giving it a more aerodynamic look.

…making it easier to hold.

…enabling it to automatically change color.

…designing it to fit in at social gatherings.

…having emit a pleasant scent when used.

…adding on-board or built-in storage.

…allowing it to only function for an authorized user.

…adding an alarm system.

…softening or eliminating its sharp edges.

…designing it to appeal to the professional user.

…designing it so it can be used by a novice.

…making its features more intuitive.

…adding a one-button feature.

…designing it to be manually powered.

…making it more easier and faster to find when needed.

…designing it with a built-in help feature.

…making it more comfortable to spend time with.

…designing it to be used while in a car.

…making it out of interconnecting pieces.

…making its shape concave.

…giving it its own unique personality.

…making it able to compensate for human error.

…making its color selectable by its user.

…making its appearance selectable by its user.

…making its configuration selectable by its user.

…making it more predictable.


Source: unknown – 15 years ago a list on the web that I saved, but not traceable anymore.
Thanks to the author!