The Autodesk Innovation Genome is one of the methods we use at Autodesk for innovation. You can learn more about on the Autodesk Innovation site.

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One of the parts of the genome is a structured brainstorming exercise where you take an innovation target (a problem you wish to solve), and consider seven questions about possible solutions for that target.

1. What could we look at in a new way?
2. What could we use in a new way, or for the first time?
3. What could we move, changing its position in space or time?
4. What could we interconnect, for the first time or in a new way?
5. What could we alter, in terms of design and performance?
6. What can we make that is truly new?
7. What can we imagine that would create a great experience for someone?

Autodesk University (AU) is a conference where our customers take classes in how to use our software. It's also a time where customers can tap into our toolset, skillset, and mindset around innovation. At our recent AU in Las Vegas, one of our customers did just that. Since the first step of applying the genome is to select an innovation target, while at AU, the customer picked 2 targets and applied the 7 questions for each. Here is what this customer chose.

• How can we achieve 100% BIM adoption within next 90 days?
• How can we reach global collaboration platform adoption?

The Autodesk account team presented and facilitated Autodesk Innovation Genome session for the customer. There were about a dozen participants plus the account team. The account team spent about 3 hours total with them, from presentation through workshop. The participants were very happy with the workshop and thought it was time well-spent and are now planning on follow-up workshops both in the United States and Europe.

So AU is not just a place to learn but also a time to apply what can be learned. The good news is that the Autodesk Innovation Genome can be applied at any time. Now is the time. Check it out. In just a few hours of structured brainstorming, you too can have a set of potential solutions to your most challenging issues and open the door to innovation.

Brainstorming is alive in the lab.