how to build something in 20 minutes
DESCRIPTION
In June 2014, Luminary Labs held its inaugural Rube Goldberg-a-thon. Following a tutorial from a subject matter expert, we challenged our staff to build Rube Goldberg-inspired machines that would launch Ping-Pong balls into a trash can. With just one hour to complete the task, the team with the most complex and functional machine would be awarded a prize. Here is what we learned.TRANSCRIPT
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LUMINARY LABS WWW.LUMINARY-LABS.COM @LUMINARYLABS
September 2014
HOW TO BUILD SOMETHING IN 20 MINUTESAnd other lessons from our Rube Goldberg-a-thon
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In June 2014, Luminary Labs held its
inaugural Rube Goldberg-a-thon.
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A Rube Goldberg Machine performs a very simple task in a series of overly complicated chain reactions. The more complex, the better.
A Rube Goldberg-a-what?
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Following a tutorial from a subject matter
expert, we challenged our staff to build Rube
Goldberg-inspired machines that would launch
Ping-Pong balls into a trash can.
With just one hour to complete the task, the
team with the most complex and functional
machine would be awarded a prize.
How it worked
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Why a Rube Goldberg-a-thon?
1. It’s a fun team building exercise.
2. We love making things.
3. We err on the geeky side.
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But it didn’t stop at that.
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In the course of 1 hour, we moved from ideation to validation.*
*Note: This is precisely the process that companies of all sizes seek to adopt in the face of change.
Instruction
Ideation & Sketching
Rapid Prototyping
Validation
Winner
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Here’s what we
learned.
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1. Don’t overthink it. Just go.
2. You can make something in 20 minutes.
3. The best coaches aren’t always the best players.
4. Mix it up, team diversity works.
5. Create the space and time to innovate.
5 Lessons Learned
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1. Don’t overthink it. Just go.
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Pick a place to start and get moving.
For companies large and small, working
in an unfamiliar subject area is daunting
at best. We were encouraged to pick up
pliers and wire and start making the
components of a basic hinge. In a very
short period of time, our skills grew as
we learned by doing.
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2. You can make something in 20
minutes.
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Making something is easier that it looks.
Anyone can engage in rapid prototyping. From
sketch to validation, our inventions took shape in
20 minutes or less, proving that making it real is
possible – even within the tightest time
constraints.
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3. The best coaches aren’t always the best
players.
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The biggest losers: our CEO and two Rube Goldberg-a-thon organizers.
The team comprised of our “resident Rube
Goldberg experts” and our CEO came in last
place, reminding us that winning solutions
may not come from where you expect.
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4. Mix it up.
Team diversity works.
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A management consultant, an analyst, and a marketer walk into a bar… and walk out with the winning solution.
Our most diverse team of talent
proved to be the most successful –
flexing its planning expertise, tactical
execution, and some serious math
smarts.
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5. Create the space and
time to innovate.
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It’s all about the experience.
Our investment in the experience created
the time and space needed to focus on
the Rube Goldberg-a-thon.
We scheduled the event for minimal
disruption, rearranged our physical
space, developed a playlist, and brought
in good eats from our favorite local
purveyors.
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Bonus Reel
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The Tools
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Sketching
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Rapid Prototyping
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The Contraptions in Action
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