Performing Under Innovative Uncertainty: Learning to Groove

In this age of innovation and disruption, there are many tools that exist that help entrepreneurs, innovators, and engineers analyze and solve problems (statistics, design of experiments, lean techniques et al). These types of ventures center on breaking new ground and exploring the unknown. The process of this journey is experimentation; the basis of these undertakings is dealing with uncertainty. Ventures that are vague in nature tend to suffer from poor execution; the lack of definition impacts both productivity and efficiency. This paper presents the Groove - a framework of techniques that improve performance. The tactics are comprised of 3 parts: gaining perspective on certain principles that improve implementation (Guiding Principles), strategies to increase productivity (Mechanics), and tactical techniques to deal with inefficiencies. A case study is presented to illustrate the application of these methods. These tactics have been successfully implemented in multiple industries as well as academia.