Buzzword Bingo: The Key Terms Anyone in Product, Transformation or Innovation Needs to Know!

What is a methodology, a model, philosophy, practice, Sprint, or Workshop? What’s a process, how is it different to a method? What’s a system whats a concept? In this lesson, we'll dive into these commonly used terms in our work, life, and throughout this course. We aim to simplify your life through understanding!  Junior, senior, young, old, there’s plenty in here for everyone to tidy up your understanding of key words and make sure your understanding is accurate. If you know them already, cool, just skip ahead and get learning! 

Ok, this is going to be a bit like speed dating. It’s a fast deep dive in a a short space of time. It’s fact-heavy and might require a little extra concentration but will really clear things up and give you loads of confidence moving forward. Are you ready?

What’s a methodology? 

A methodology is an overarching, systematic and structured approach to achieving a goal or outcome.  Think of it as a step-by-step process to achieve a goal, but it also includes philosophies, practices, models, and tools. A Method or methodology is truly an umbrella term, the big kahuna in terms of how to describe a framework that organises the way to think about a challenge, and how and in what order work gets done.  It could be a method to solve problems, fix something that’s broken, optimise something that exists or invent something new. Different challenges have different methodologies, one we cover in this course is the Design Thinking Methodology. 

What’s a model?

A model serves as a visual or schematic representation or blueprint of a methodology. It visualizes the process, illustrating how various stages or components interact with one another or fit togther. In Design Thinking, there are various models such as the Double Diamond model that guide you through the stages of the Methodology. 

What’s the difference between a methodology and a model?
Methodologies or methods provide procedural or step by step guidance, whereas models offer a visual representation to help people understand and implement the methodology.

What’s a process?

A process is a series of steps or actions that are taken in order to achieve a desired outcome. In Design Thinking Methodology, for example, there is a 5 step process. You can also think of a recipe as a process. 

What’s the difference between a methodology and a process?

The difference between a methodology and a process is small but material:  A methodology is an overarching system of philosophies, principles, processes and practices that guide the solving of problems or achieving a goal. It is the structured approach that dictates the philosophy and core values behind tackling challenges, and it may have various processes within it. A process is a sequence of steps or actions taken within a methodology, aimed at achieving a specific goal.  It is the operational or ‘doing part of a methodology - the execution part - the actual path taken to reach an outcome. In essence, while methodologies set the framework and principles of approach, processes are the actionable steps within it. The Design Sprint is an example of a process. 

What’s a step?

A step refers to a specific action or task within a larger process. And a process is a series of steps or actions that are taken in order to achieve a desired outcome.  

What’s an approach?

An approach refers to the mindset or perspective you take when approaching a task or challenge. “ She had a conservative approach to the task, but an enthusiastic approach to the project”.

What’s a concept?

A concept is an idea or mental image that represents something. In innovation, we create concepts to explore potential solutions to a problem and can be refined and developed through feedback and iteration. A concept can be visual, three-dimensional or written, and often involves combining different ideas and elements to create something new and innovative.

What’s a system?

A system is a range of tangible and intangible elements organized to produce a specific outcome. Most often, a system includes people, organisational structure, methodologies, processes, policies, people, equipment, tools, and capital. Think of it like a car’s multiple components, engine, tires, fuel, the driver. They all must exist and work together to move forward. 

What’s a workflow?

A workflow is a series of steps or activities that are required to complete a specific task or project. Workflows are often used to guide work that is done repeatedly, routine operation but can also reflect a methodology. They can be tailored to organisations, functions and roles. 

What’s an exercise?

Exercises are specific tasks a group can follow to produce an outcome. You learn several exercises in later lessons which includes practices like note and vote to generate and prioritise ideas quickly. Or the Sailboat exercise to align on what is and isn’t working. They are short and specific.     

What’s a workshop?

When we combine multiple exercises this forms a workshop which should be an interactive session that utilises structured collaboration to help people work constructively, productively and efficiently together. Workshops are diverse in the problems they can solve or opportunities they can realise and are best used for simple challenges or parts of more complex challenges.

What’s a Sprint?

When we combine multiple workshops this forms a sprint and a sprint is a time-constrained, highly structured series of workshops for rapidly solving complex problems. It typically involves a diverse team working together intensively over a period of days or weeks to create, prototype, test, and refine solutions. The goal of a design sprint is to quickly generate tangible results and gather user feedback, allowing for quick iteration and improvement before moving forward with implementation. The Design Sprint is the most well-known sprint but there are many others built on Sprint ‘Principles’, like the Strategy Sprint and Brand Sprint.

What’s a principle?

A principle is a guiding belief or idea that manifests in your decision-making and actions. In the context of innovation, principles can help guide the approach taken towards finding solutions and the way work is done. Some common principles used in true innovation include starting with your end user, testing early and often, and prioritising progress over perfection.

What’s a practice?

A practice refers to the act of regularly engaging in a technique or exercise in order to achieve a specific goal. In the case of innovation, it can also refer to the development of habits and routines that support effective problem-solving, such as time boxing, working together alone or collaboration is always visualised. Practices are woven into exercises, workshops and sprints.

What’s a philosophy?
A philosophy guides individuals or groups in understanding the world. In innovation and design, it shapes problem-solving approaches, influences thinking, and sets goals. Common philosophies include human-centered design, lean, and agile, shaping organizational culture and innovation systems.

The content of this article is drawn from The Innovator’s Toolkit™, The ultimate formula for faster, more successful innovation. Learn the same tools & techniques the world's best brands use - head over to The Innovator’s Toolkit™ to get access to free tools and resources to kickstart your innovation journey.