We need an autobahn for #digitalhealth innovation
As an American coming to Germany for the first time 6 years ago, my impression and understanding was that there are no speed limits driving…
As an American coming to Germany for the first time 6 years ago, my impression and understanding was that there are no speed limits driving on the autobahn. (silly me) After getting a few speeding tickets and hence starting to pay attention to my surroundings, I realized that at certain parts the autobahn turns into just a “regular highway” with speed limits. Most of the time the speed limits are imposed near gas stations, construction zones or many cross sections of different highways near cities. Naturally, it made me think about Innovation in general, but more specifically digital health startups.
“Proceed with caution, there are humans on the other side” — David E. Alberts @ ExponentialMedicine
When you are going 230km with no cars nearby, just trees, the only potential accident could impact just YOU and maybe a few trees. Think of this as a new idea, with no limits, no impacts to our society. As the idea matures really really fast and turns into an innovation with a potential impact (and Innovations need to have an impact!!!) and real people are trying it, experimenting with it — real time feedback is very important. From real users, real consumers, real patients. A bit of a slowdown required. Think of this solutions experiment (prototype) as still being on the autobahn but now there are a few cars around you. Impact is still small but extends beyond just you so maybe you press the breaks lightly.
As the solutions experiment matures with more people joining in and you are preparing for scaling, data is not enough. This data, real world data needs to turn into insights and more importantly into evidence (real world). These are your 100km restrictions. Yes there is process, yes there are limitations but for a reason, more people are now involved!! The question is, how do we initially still keep a speed limit but expand it to 150km not 100km? :)
As you get off the highway and you are in the hustle and bustle of a city, those speeds become even more controlled with 60, 40km or below. Once again, the key reason is there are potentially more lives impacted, more damage can be done to a community. This is how you know you have reached some scale or full scale in your solutions experiment. However, here is the problem — the world around doesn’t care and moves fast anyhow.
In order to keep up with the speed of technological evolution, we need to build an autobahn for innovation with minimal or no limits. Develop competencies or acquire them and build the right skills in order to be able to drive fast through Times Square with zero impact, keeping that human being on the other side of the road in mind.
Can it be done? I don’t know, but my strong belief is that there are brilliant people around the world that can solve any challenge put in front of them!
#GSD