Exaptive triggers

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List of methods / Design and innovation

Exaptive triggers is a method aimed at establishing novel, non-obvious links between knowledge objects and ideas, at an appropriate level of abstraction, for the purpose of producing exaptive, radical innovation.

Name and history

One of the questions evolutionary theory has had to answer is the appearance of complex new traits or features faster than a linear adaptive approach would justify, or in context where gradual "stages" of adaptation do not necessarily make sense. As a response, non-linear approaches have been proposed, going back to Darwin himself who had himself suggested the possibility of an existing trait finding novel function, using the example of unfused skull bones across different animals (including humans). Stephen J Gould and Elisabeth Vrba in 1982[1] proposed the term "exaptation" to argue more formally that a trait that evolved for one function (or indeed for no function at all) can be coopted to a completely different effect. An example from our own evolutionary history is the cooption of existing structures in our bodies and brains for symbolic thinking [2]. When we want to consciously trigger that property, a key question becomes how we increase the potential for capturing potential for exaptation. How do we manage for serendipity and radically repurpose?

Prior knowledge

The method is ideally positioned to the top right of a 2x2 matrix, the dimensions of which are discovery, and ideation. By combining distributed ethnography with distributed solution generation, as opposed to other methods that use expert knowledge on one or both dimensions, it also works as an aggregator of other methods suitable for those purposes.

The method is designed to overcome inattentional blindness, i.e. it facilitates the the establishment of unobvious connections, by drawing the attention towards them. The word "trigger" refers to the realization of the "why these things a re connected with these other things".

The identification of potentially valuable connections between problems and solutions is made possible thanks to:

  • the decomposition of both to an adequate level of granularity, so as to induce abstraction from their originating contexts;
  • the interpretation of both along a common set of dimensions.
Expert v distributed discovery-ideation matrix
Ideation (solutions generation)
Expert Distributed
Discovery
(ethnography) 		Distributed Clusters of experiences presented to experts.
Agile’s unarticulated need mapping		 Exaptive innovation
Expert Double Diamond (linear) "Finding the 17%’s"

Both discovery and ideation can be performed in both ways. "Expert" will likely only catch "complicated" data, while "Distributed" is more likely to elicit "complex" aspects. If the purpose is radical innovation, the second is more likely to produce interesting results. Which one to adopt, however, depends on context and expectations.

Key frameworks, concepts, and principles

Related frameworks:

Key concepts:


Principles:

Related methods

For eliciting knowledge objects:

For finding ideas:

  • Hermeneutic inquiry
  • Human sensor networks
  • Entangled trios form a network that can be stimulated for the purpose of finding solutions

Preparation

Factual description of what is needed together with lists of materials and the physical environment needed. Default is physical but see later section.

Workflow

English text with any general instructions to be given at the start

For a minor method the table may be omitted

STAGE INSTRUCTION COMMENTARY & TIPS
first instruction first set of tips

Do's and Don'ts

Simple bulleted list including common mistakes

Virtual running

Default is to state that it cannot be until we have developed and tested practice. If it can be run virtually then we describe it here.

It is acceptable to add a third column to the workflow if needed

References

Link to other articles on this wiki if they are relevant.

Articles

  1. ↑ Gould, Stephen Jay, and Elisabeth S. Vrba. “Exaptation-A Missing Term in the Science of Form.” Paleobiology, vol. 8, no. 1, 1982, pp. 4–15. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2400563. Accessed 23 Jun. 2022.
  2. ↑ Tattersall, I. Becoming Modern Homo sapiens. Evo Edu Outreach 2, 584–589 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12052-009-0164-x
  • Cattani, Gino & Andriani, Pierpaolo. (2016). Exaptation as source of creativity, innovation, and diversity: introduction to the Special Section. Industrial and Corporate Change. 25. 115-131.

Blog posts

Cases

Method card material

This material will be extracted for the method cards

Possible symbols or illustrations

Front page description

Exaptive triggers trigger attention to novel, non-obvious possibilities and connections between existing assets and emerging needs to facilitate radical repurposing.

Back of card summary

Exaptation refers to a trait evolved or designed for other uses, and later “co-opted” in a novel way for its current role. We also refer to this as radical repurposing or managed serendipity – the process of finding things we already have or are competent at and repurposing them to solve novel problems or to meet needs. This typically entails mapping existing capabilities, knowledge objects or assets at an appropriate level of abstraction; identifying new or unarticulated organisational problems or needs, and matching these together to trigger the discovery of new and innovative connections or links between them.

How can it be used?

for diagnosis

for analysis/understanding

for intervention

Method Properties - Ratings

Represented by symbols - interpretation/voting scales are:

COST & RESOURCES: How resource-intensive is the Method in terms of materials and tools required, and thus costs?

  1. Requires only common office equipment (eg paper and pens)
  2. Requires simple facilitation materials (special hexies, printouts, whiteboards etc)
  3. Requires some inexpensive but specific tools and materials
  4. Requires moderate investment in tools or software to apply
  5. Requires significant investment in software or other specialist tools

COMPLEX FACILITATION SKILL: How much training and skill in complex facilitation does the Method require?

  1. No complex facilitation experience is required
  2. Some complex facilitation experience needed - practice in a safe space
  3. Should be mentored while developing complex facilitation skill
  4. Requires Mentoring until proven, familiarity with theory critical
  5. Advanced, requires deep knowledge of theory and experience

ENGAGEMENT GRADIENT: How challenging is engagement of participants into the Method likely to be?

  1. Ad hoc technique - can be used in multiple contexts with relative ease
  2. Requires time commitment but overall, engaging and not difficult to achieve
  3. Mild uncertainty or discomfort, may need work to keep people engaged
  4. Indirect/ambiguous method, requires engagement through sustained levels of uncertainty
  5. Challenging method – may incur resistance if people expect a more traditional approach
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