To start the new year, many people will develop a set of resolutions to improve themselves, their lives, and their welfare. While I can offer no advice on how to accomplish this in your personal life, I have some thoughts on how to achieve your resolutions in your product development process:

Resolve to a Worthy Cause
Making a resolution should be for a purpose. Hollow resolutions stand little chance of being followed up on. For example, for those that said "I will be a nicer person in 2008" I applaud the effort. But why are you doing it? There has to be an underlying reason or goal. And, in a cynical way I believe that is can't be entirely altruistic but has to provide benefit to you. Product innovation can be considered a bit like "being nicer" because it's hard to touch and feel being "innovative." But enhanced product innovation leads to enhanced profitability, according to our research at Aberdeen, which turns it from just a noble cause to one that is worth the time and attention of the organization.

Set Goals, and Make it Measurable
If the resolution is worth achieving, it is worth tracking. Product innovation is a tough thing to measure, but leading companies are doing it more frequently than average performers. By setting specific goals, progress can be tracked so that 2009 doesn't come with another empty promise to be more innovative. I am not sure how to measure being a nicer person, but product innovation and product development - and the associated impact on profits - can be measured.

Have a Plan
A resolution without an action plan is not a resolution. At best, it's a wish. Even if the plan at this point is to develop a plan, that is something that can be calendared. There are proven process, organization, and technology approaches that help companies improve innovation. A resolution to get in better physical condition without a plan for a better diet, more exercise, cleaner living, or some other approach will fall short. A resolution to improve innovation by maintaining the status quo will also fail.

We'll explore this a bit more over the next week or so. We have just published a benchmark at Aberdeen on the Product Innovation Agenda 2010: Profiting from Innovation Today and Tomorrow  and I will share what I can with you of it. Note, the link takes you to free, but sponsored access.

My best wishes for you personally and professionally in 2008. I look forward to your comments, what have you resolved to do this year?