"Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity" - Michael Porter

When I engage with organizations who are looking to gain maturity in their existing innovation management competency, my very first step is to look around the organization for the following:

1. Leadership Engagement
   • Not just commitment or buy-in or awareness or approval
   • Executive-level person(s) willing to participate and get their hands dirty
   • Middle management serving as idea facilitators rather than idea decision-makers
2. Business Discipline
   • Innovation treated as a business discipline, not an event
   • Innovation considered a key driver of growth
   • Innovation run as business unit no different than Marketing, IT or HR
3. Resource Availability & Mix
   • Human Resources
   • Monetary Resources
   • Time Resources
   • Space Resources
4. Process Depth
   • Efficient Processes for Idea and Innovation Management
   • Effective Processes for Idea and Innovation Management
   • Process Improvement Mindset

What I find tells me if they have a good "climate" for innovation.  The analysis of the "culture" for innovation comes next.