How Constraints Drive Creativity and Innovation

Danil
Nov 14
3 min read

We often complain about not having enough to be creative: not enough time, money, or expertise. I won’t pretend the struggle isn’t real. Working under constant resource pressure is exhausting, and I’ve done it for years across different projects and industries.

Still, these limitations don’t only hold us back.

That’s (well, not exactly, but close enough) the question tackled by Oguz A. Acar, Murat Tarakci, and Daan van Knippenberg in their review. Looking across multiple fields, they show that constraints don’t just block creativity — they can also shape and sometimes even boost it.

Three Types of Constraints

The authors categorize constraints into three types:

1. Input Constraints

Limitations on resources such as time, money, equipment, or talent.

Example: A startup operating with limited funds or a design team working under tight deadlines.

"We define input constraints as the unavailability of resources such as time, human capital, funds, excess cash, and materials that could be used in the service of creativity and innovation activities”

2. Process Constraints

Rules or procedures that structure how creative and innovative processes unfold.

Example: Formal innovation processes (like the stage-gate system) or structured brainstorming sessions.

"Process constraints refer to the restrictions that determine the steps to be followed throughout innovation and creativity processes."

3. Output Constraints

Specifications or requirements defining the characteristics of the final outcome.

Example: Environmental regulations or product safety standards.

"..output constraints refer to the factors that define the end result of the creative processes, such as the constraints on what the output should (not) contain (e.g., use of certain materials or colors) and/or achieve (e.g., minimum product quality or performance specifications)”.

How Constraints Influence Creativity

The review identifies three primary mechanisms through which constraints impact creativity:

1. Motivational Mechanism

Constraints can increase motivation by framing tasks as creative challenges. Moderate constraints encourage experimentation and risk-taking, whereas excessive constraints undermine motivation.

"Having too few input constraints breeds complacency. A moderate level frames the task as a greater challenge and motivates experimentation and risk-taking."

2. Cognitive Mechanism

Constraints alter cognitive processes, pushing individuals to think beyond conventional solutions and reducing fixation on known answers.

3. Social Mechanism

Constraints structure interactions within teams and organizations, facilitating knowledge sharing and reducing interpersonal barriers.

"Process constraints affect creativity and innovation through social and motivational routes. These constraints facilitate social interactions by coordinating collective efforts in innovation processes and by mitigating social barriers that hinder knowledge exchanges."

The Optimal Level of Constraints: An Inverted U-Shaped Relationship

Interestingly, constraints don't have a linear relationship with creativity and innovation. Instead, the researchers found a consistent inverted U-shaped pattern:

Too Few Constraints: Lead to complacency, routine thinking, and unoriginal outcomes.
Moderate Constraints: Stimulate innovation, creativity, and unconventional problem-solving.
Too Many Constraints: Overwhelm individuals, limit possibilities, and negatively affect creative outcomes.

Moderators of Constraints' Effects

The authors highlight factors influencing the effectiveness of constraints:

Type of Innovation: Radical innovations typically require fewer constraints, whereas incremental innovations benefit from moderate constraint levels.
Individual Traits: Personal characteristics such as openness to experience and intrinsic motivation affect how constraints are perceived and leveraged.
Organizational Context: Supportive organizational cultures and clear communication amplify positive effects of constraints.

Practical Implications

We should consciously manage constraints rather than simply remove them:

Intentionally introduce moderate input constraints (budgets, deadlines) to spark creative problem-solving.
Design clear process constraints (rules, structures) to improve team collaboration.
Set thoughtful output constraints (specifications, requirements) to encourage innovative solutions.

Conclusion

Constraints, often viewed negatively, can significantly enhance creativity and innovation when properly managed. Understanding how to leverage constraints effectively is crucial for leaders and organizations aiming to foster innovation.

This research reframes constraints from barriers into valuable tools, empowering managers to strategically guide their teams toward breakthrough ideas.