In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, the pursuit of additional resources—such as funding, personnel, and equipment—is a common primary focus. However, paradoxically, an abundance of these resources can lead to inefficiency and wastefulness. Drawing from my experiences in both medical research and technological innovation, I advocate for the strategic limitation of resources to foster focused innovation, extend project runways, and significantly enhance the likelihood of success.
1. Focus Over Abundance
In today’s abundance economy, tools, knowledge, and capital are more accessible than ever. Yet, this abundance often dilutes focus, leading to dispersed efforts and suboptimal outcomes. Constraints compel teams to concentrate on core objectives, driving meaningful and impactful innovation. As Peter Drucker, a renowned management consultant, stated, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” Focusing on effectiveness through constraints ensures that innovation targets the most critical needs in healthcare innovation projects.
2. Money as an Accelerant, Not a Crutch
Financial resources are invaluable when utilised effectively. In healthcare technology, excessive funding without a clear strategic direction can result in misaligned projects and squandered resources. Dr. Eric Topol, a prominent figure in digital healthcare, asserts, "Financial resources should amplify our ability to solve critical health problems, not merely expand our capacity." Furthermore, a study by Harvard Business Review (2019) indicates that startups with constrained funding often outperform well-funded counterparts due to increased focus and resourcefulness.(1)
3. Start with a Small, Skilled Team
The principle of quality over quantity is paramount in project teams. A small, well-rounded team operates more efficiently than a larger, fragmented one. Jeff Bezos’ two-pizza rule—ensuring that any team is small enough to be fed with two pizzas—illustrates this effectively. In the healthcare sector, where interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, a compact team with diverse expertise (e.g., clinical, technical, regulatory) ensures agility and coherence, facilitating swift and effective decision-making. Research from MIT Sloan highlights that smaller teams are more innovative and adaptive, especially in complex fields like healthcare.(2)
Time is the most irreplaceable resource in healthcare innovation. Unlike financial resources and personnel, time progresses inexorably forward. Prioritising time over other resources ensures that projects advance swiftly and adapt to the evolving demands of the healthcare environment. As Leonard Bernstein aptly stated, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” Embracing time constraints can drive teams to innovate more intelligently and efficiently. A study published in the Journal of Product Innovation Management (2018) found that time-constrained projects often achieve higher levels of creativity and problem-solving effectiveness.(3)
1. Identify Core Resources
Understanding the true nature of resources—money, people, and time—is essential. Money accelerates actions, people bring diverse skills, and time ensures continuous progress. However, in the initial stages of healthcare projects, over-investing in these areas without clear direction can impede innovation and deplete the project’s runway. Clayton Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation emphasises the importance of focusing resources on breakthrough technologies that address unmet needs.(4)
2. Restrict Customer Throughput to Uncover Constraints
In healthcare, customer throughput refers to the rate at which patients or healthcare providers are onboarded. By deliberately limiting this rate, teams can identify and address underlying constraints. For instance, targeting ten new users within two weeks compels the team to prioritise essential features, gather immediate feedback, and iterate rapidly—aligning with lean startup principles advocated by Eric Ries.(5) A 2020 study in Health Affairs demonstrated that incremental user testing and feedback loops significantly enhance product-market fit and reduce time-to-market.(6)
3. Extend Your Runway
Working within constrained resources naturally extends the project’s runway—the duration and resources available to achieve objectives. This approach prevents premature scaling, reduces burn rates, and ensures that each phase of development is validated before additional resources are committed. Extending the runway increases the likelihood of long-term success and sustainability by allowing for measured and strategic growth. According to research by Bain & Company (2021), startups that manage to extend their runway through strategic constraints are 30% more likely to achieve profitability.(7)
1. Define Minimum Viable Teams and Projects
Initiate projects with the smallest possible complete team capable of delivering a minimum viable product (MVP). This strategy minimises resource expenditure and accelerates the learning process. In healthcare, this might involve a team comprising a clinician, a developer, and a regulatory expert collaborating closely to develop a compliant and user-centric solution. The Lean Startup methodology by Eric Ries underscores the importance of MVPs in validating hypotheses with minimal resources.(5)
2. Prioritise Time Management
Implement strict timelines and milestone-based progress tracking. Employ agile methodologies to maintain flexibility while ensuring timely delivery. This balance is crucial in healthcare, where delays can adversely affect customer outcomes and market relevance. It is for this reason, the Journal of Medical Systems (2019) found that agile project management in healthcare leads to faster implementation of IT solutions and higher user satisfaction.(8)
3. Focus on Core Competencies and Incremental Scaling
Begin with core competencies and gradually scale resources as confidence and market demand grow. Avoid the temptation to scale prematurely. Instead, build on validated successes, similar to the incremental approach used in clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy before broader application. Research by McKinsey & Company (2020) highlights that incremental scaling based on validated data reduces risk and improves resource allocation efficiency.(9)
The extension of a project's runway facilitates:
These factors collectively contribute to higher success rates in healthcare innovation, as evidenced by a 2021 study in the Journal of Healthcare Management, which found that projects with extended runways and strategic constraints had a 25% higher success rate compared to those with unrestricted resources.(10)
In conclusion, the principle of "less is more" is not about reduction for its own sake but about fostering a disciplined, focused approach to innovation. By deliberately limiting resources, healthcare technology teams can enhance creativity, drive sustainable growth, and achieve long-term success. This strategic constraint aligns with one of the core missions of healthcare: delivering patient-centered, impactful solutions that stand the test of time.
Embracing constraints is not merely a strategy but a commitment to excellence and sustainability in healthcare innovation. As we move forward, let us adopt these principles to build a future where our innovations are not only groundbreaking but also enduring and profoundly beneficial to those we serve.
