Seven innovation lessons from the Moon

1. UrgencyPick the right moment

President JFK wanted to prove American superiority after Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the 1st human space traveller in

1961.

2. ChallengeChoose a BIG Challenge

The entire nation should commit itself itself to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the

decade it out. [JFK, 1961]

3. FocusMake clear choices

NASA selected the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous. If it failed the astronauts could not be saved. This was the only way by which the Moon landing could be achieved by

Kennedy’s deadline of decade’s end.

4. PrepareHave a 417 step checklist

On the morning of the launch the lunar module back-up pilot ran through a 417-step checklist to ensure that

every switch was set in the proper position.

5. TestHave a full-dress rehearsal

The Apollo 10 took pictures of the descent and landing areas. This was very helpful “By the time we launched,

we knew all the principal landmarks on our descent path by heart”.

6. TeamworkDivide the responsibilities

“Within the flight crews we divided the responsibilities such that each would go into their area in substantially

more depth”.

7. PassionFollow your passion

Neil Armstrong earned at 16 his pilot’s license before he got an automobile driver’s license.

Inspired by famous explorers like Neil Armstrong, I developed an innovation map for a successful

lift-off of innovations projects.

Download the innovation map

forth-innovation.com

Gijs van WulfenFounder FORTH innovation method

The Netherlandsgijs@forth-innovation.com

+31651483575