This simple self-assessment tool focuses attention on some of the important areas of
innovation management. Below you will find statements which describe ‘the way we do
things around here’ – the pattern of behaviour which describes how the organization
handles the question of innovation. For each statement simply put a score between 1 (=
not true at all) to 7 (=very true).
Around here…..
Statement Score 1= Not true
at all to 7 = Very
true
1 People have a clear idea of how innovation can help us
compete
2 We have processes in place to help us manage new
product development effectively from idea to launch
3 Our organization structure does not stifle innovation but
helps it to happen
4 We have good ‘win-win’ relationships with our suppliers
5 There is a strong commitment to training and
development of people
6 Our innovation strategy is clearly communicated so
everyone knows the targets for improvement
7 Our innovation projects are usually completed on time
and within budget
8 People work well together across departmental
boundaries
9 We are good at understanding the needs of our
customers/end-users
10 We take time to review our projects to improve our
performance next time
11 People know what our distinctive competence is – what
gives us a competitive edge
12 We have effective mechanisms to make sure everyone
(not just Marketing) understands customer needs)
13 People are involved in suggesting ideas for
improvements to products or processes
14 We work well with universities and other research
centres to help us develop our knowledge
15 We learn from our mistakes
16 We look ahead in a structured way (using forecasting
tools and techniques) to try and imagine future threats
and opportunities
17 We have effective mechanisms for managing process
change from idea through to successful implementation
18 Our structure helps us to take decisions rapidly
19 We work closely with our customers in exploring and
developing new concepts
20 We systematically compare our products and processes
with other firms
21 Our top team have a shared vision of how the company
will develop through innovation
22 We systematically search for new product ideas
23 Communication is effective and works top down, bottom
up and across the organization
24 We collaborate with other firms to develop new products
or processes
25 We meet and share experiences with other firms to help
us learn
26 There is top management commitment and support for
innovation
27 We have mechanisms in place to ensure early
involvement of all departments in developing new
products/processes
28 Our reward and recognition system supports innovation
29 We try to develop external networks of people who can
help us – for example, with specialist knowledge
30 We are good at capturing what we have learned so that
others in the organization can make use of it
31 We have processes in place to review new technological
or market developments and what they mean for our
firm’s strategy
32 We have a clear system for choosing innovation projects
33 We have a supportive climate for new ideas – people
don’t have to leave the organization to make them happen
34 We work closely with the local and national education
system to communicate our needs for skills
35 We are good at learning from other organisations
36 There is a clear link between the innovation projects we
carry out and the overall strategy of the business
37 There is sufficient flexibility in our system for product
development to allow small ‘fast track’ projects to happen
38 We work well in teams
39 We work closely with ‘lead users’ to develop innovative
new products and services
40 We use measurement to help identify where and when we
can improve our innovation management
When you have finished, add the totals for the questions in the following way:
Questions Total Score (= Total
divided by 8)
1,6,11,16,21,26,31,36 Strategy =
2,7,12,17,22,27,32,37 Processes =
3,8,13,18,23,28,33,38 Organization =
4,9,14,19,24,29,34,39 Linkages =
5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40 Learning =
Now plot a profile for the five dimensions.
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