skunkworks
Covert development team
A skunkworks is a small, autonomous team working on an innovative or secret project, typically with minimal oversight and outside normal corporate bureaucracy.
The term originated from Lockheed's secretive aircraft development division in the 1940s.
Companies create skunkworks groups to move fast on experimental projects without institutional drag: The new product came out of a skunkworks operation.
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- hiddenKept out of sight
confidential · unacknowledged · off-the-books · compartmentalized · need-to-know · sequestered · isolated · restricted
First functional specimen
- proof-of-conceptFeasibility demonstration
- feasibilityPotential for success
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- iterationRepeated procedural pass
testing · simulation · validation · benchtop · conceptual · preliminary · trial · mockup
Sudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
moonshot · blue-sky · game-changing · revolutionary · bleeding-edge · next-generation · trailblazing · visionary
Supersonic American reconnaissance aircraft
Self-directed and free
- agileLimber and quick-moving
- fast-trackAccelerate a process
- eliteSuperior select group
- handpickedPersonally selected with care
cross-functional · self-directed · lean · bootleg · rogue · maverick · independent · decentralized
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
hidden · confidential · unacknowledged · off-the-books · compartmentalized · need-to-know · sequestered · isolated · restricted · undisclosed
prototype
First functional specimen
- proof-of-conceptFeasibility demonstration
- feasibilityPotential for success
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
iteration · testing · simulation · validation · benchtop · conceptual · preliminary · trial · mockup · alpha
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
cutting-edge · moonshot · blue-sky · game-changing · revolutionary · bleeding-edge · next-generation · trailblazing · visionary · unconventional
SR-71
Supersonic American reconnaissance aircraft
autonomous
Self-directed and free
- agileLimber and quick-moving
- fast-trackAccelerate a process
- eliteSuperior select group
handpicked · cross-functional · self-directed · lean · bootleg · rogue · maverick · independent · decentralized
- Startupsstartup, founder, founders, startups, co-founder
- prototypesprototype, mock-up, proof of concept, mockup, rough draft
- creative engineeringprototyping, brainstorming, design thinking, modular design, improvisation
- Innovation Methodsbrainstorming, design thinking, ideation, prototyping, iteration
skunkworksofficial channels
Authorized pathways for requests
central planning · corporate headquarters · corporate hierarchy · red tape
skunk, work, skunks, works, worked, working, worker, workers, workable