This keynote lecture describes the use of innovative ideas and concepts in geotechnical engineering. The message of this lecture is that innovation in engineering does not necessarily have to be new ways of doing things. Rather, it is more important to create value to projects by learning and applying ideas and concepts (whether old or new) in an innovative manner. A number of examples are given based on the author’s recent experience, ranging from site investigation method, laboratory testing, numerical analysis, piled raft and pile group foundations, and soft ground engineering.