Research creates basic knowledge via creativity and invention; this is not innovation per our definition, since this process takes place without much regard to 'productizing', reproducibility, revenue, a market or a user. On the other hand we get loads of product ideas from the market place and from the modification or extrapolation of existing products… and this usually is done with great consideration of business and market value.

Whatever the source of product ideas, those that are intended for the market place, and where commercial value gain is considered, are innovations according to our definition.

Also, innovation (change) during product development requires some amount of reflection: i.e. discussion, proselytizing, analysis, technology research & application, test & validation and eventual acceptance or rejection. Consequently, added cost and time are always associated with innovation. It is from this reflection where we get statements such as those above from developers… and many technical people do like to excessively reflect, while little considering the cost and time implications. Necessarily, management of innovation is paramount here.