Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works ...

SUMMARY OF WORKING GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Group A: Identification of Potential Areas and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works
Infrastructure (PWIS)
Participants
Prof. Arthur Baskin
Prof. John Eberhard
Dr. Francois Grobler (Recorder)
Dr. Andrew Lemer
Prof. Joseph Murtha (Chairman)
Prof. Michael Walton
Prof. Thomas White
Mr. Ronald Zabilski
The meeting started with introductions of group members, clarification of the group's goals, and
discussion of the most productive approach to achieving the group's goals.
The following outline was suggested as a framework for the discussions:
1. The definition of a template or matrix to use in the identification, characterization, and
prioritization of opportunities for needed innovation.
2. Review of important innovations presented in the prepared papers.
3. Identification of applicable innovations existing in other disciplines.
4. Group preparation for a plenary presentation.
The group discussed what innovation is and accepted John Eberhard's suggestion to distinguish
between ideas, inventions, and innovation.
The group defined innovation as:
A product, process, or procedure successfully introduced into the marketplace to
significantly reduce cost and time lines, to improve quality, or to increase performance
desired by the public.
It was also pointed out that innovation can occur in different areas, including:
I. Management and Information Systems
2. Policy
3. Standards
4. Products and Materials.
Some group members felt that 15 percent perceived improvement is the minimum threshold before
an innovation will find acceptance. At 30 percent improvement innovations "take off" in the marketplace
without help.
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