Organizations are under constant pressure to innovate and stay relevant in an environment that never stands still. Incremental improvement is no longer enough. To truly stand out, companies need to think in terms of NUDD: New, Unique, Different, and Difficult.
It’s a mindset that helps organizations push beyond incremental improvement and aim for transformational results. Let’s break it down.
New
Innovation starts with something new. This could be a new technology, a new method, or a new way of serving customers. New ideas create opportunities that did not exist before and open doors to improved performance.
Example: A manufacturer using AI for predictive maintenance instead of relying only on scheduled inspections.
Unique
Unique ideas cannot be easily replicated. They give you a competitive advantage because they are tied to your strengths, capabilities, or culture. A unique approach makes your organization difficult to copy.
Example: A training provider offering custom GPT assistants for each stage of a Six Sigma project, something learners cannot find anywhere else.
Different
Different means challenging the status quo. It means refusing to settle for “the way things have always been done.” Being different makes your work more memorable, impactful, and valuable for the people you serve.
Example: A construction quality manager who creates dashboards not only for compliance but also for real-time insights into safety, cost, and quality.
Difficult
The difficult is where real breakthroughs happen. If something is easy, competitors have probably already done it. The initiatives that are complex, resource-intensive, or technically demanding often lead to the most transformational results.
Example: Launching a company-wide Lean Six Sigma program that integrates AI analytics across every department.
Why NUDD Matters
Encourages true innovation
Builds lasting competitive advantage
Raises barriers to imitation
Motivates teams by challenging them with meaningful goals
Putting NUDD Into Practice
Ask these questions when evaluating an idea:
Is it new to my organization?
What makes it unique compared to others?
Is it different enough to create a clear impact?
Is it difficult enough that success will deliver real value?
Final Thoughts
NUDD is not about being different for the sake of being different. It is about choosing ideas that are new, unique, different, and difficult enough to produce measurable change. When applied alongside structured methods like Lean or Six Sigma, NUDD can take your improvement efforts from incremental to transformational.