← All anti-patterns

Software engineering / Methodological

Invented here

Internal ideas are dismissed because they originated within the organisation, rather than assessed on their merits. The term is typically used in a pejorative sense. The opposite predisposition is sometimes called "invented here", "not invented there", "proudly found elsewhere" (PFE) or "invented elsewhere".

The index uses this label for distrust of internal innovation. Its original Wikipedia link now redirects to “Not invented here”, where the phrase is used differently. The opening sentence is an editorial overview of the index meaning; the source context follows.

Internal ideas are dismissed because they originated within the organisation, rather than assessed on their merits.

The term is typically used in a pejorative sense. The opposite predisposition is sometimes called "invented here", "not invented there", "proudly found elsewhere" (PFE) or "invented elsewhere".

Recurring responses shape the systems we live in.
Recognising the pattern is the beginning of change.

Selected Works

My first projectProject type