Innovation, then Analysis

Luke Wroblewski gives a good summary of a variety of articles discussing the value of user analysis in achieving innovation. The argument is that you can’t reach innovation through a moutain of user analysis. Innovation and thinking in a new way comes first. Then you can clarify your vision and your understanding of your users through analysis, but that should never come first.

You would think it would be easy in this area, but it’s not when you have access to user research. You have to keep in mind what you WANT the user to do, not just what they are doing.