Since the concept of Innovation Maturity and Innovation Maturity Assessments are really our unique value propositions, I am frequently asked, "What goes into an innovation assessment anyway?"  While the mechanisms of data gathering, scoring and maturity matrix plotting will remain a Think For A Change, LLC. proprietary trade secret, I thought it would be beneficial to at least explore some of the broader categories so that you can potentially identify areas within your organization that would benefit from some additional attention and improvement.

An "innovation assessment" is simply a collection, or scorecard, of best/next practices as they relate to what are generally considered successful and maturing organizational innovation management programs.  The assessment begins with a survey to identify both the reality and perception of where the organization ranks along a spectrum of broader innovation management categories that contain more detailed attributes and functions of idea and innovation management systems:

• Leadership
• Strategic Alignment
• Portfolio/Project Management
• Idea Management
• Innovation Culture/Climate
  
• Resources (Financial/Time/Human)
• Collaboration & Communication
  

We use the unique approach of measuring both where the organization is realistically AND perceptually because this frequently exposes the immense disconnect between leadership and "front line" employees when it comes to the current state of innovation within the organization.  Following this current state assessment and scoring, we then plot the results along our IM2-Innovation Maturity Model and engage in discussions about how and where the organization can get the biggest "bang for the buck" by increasing innovation maturity in one or more areas.

Think your company is innovative?  How about taking an honest assessment of your innovation maturity by reviewing our best practices maturity model?  You might discover that to reach the continuous innovation you desire, additional systems might be applicable in achieving a repeatable, reliable and truly embedded innovation program.  We will conduct a thorough assessment and advise you on the techniques, processes, metrics, and other systems that will have your innovation program the envy of your market.

Heading out to Colorado next week for some skiing with the family and some time unplugged which usually percolates a few good ideas to the top!  It will also give me a chance to proof-read the final draft of the new book I have been working on.  More details on that when I return...hopefully!