Innovation Management in Practice: Understanding and Acting with ISO 56001

In an increasingly competitive environment, companies are constantly on the lookout for new avenues of growth and new markets. In a technology-driven race to the front, they are approaching the era of intensive innovation with varying degrees of anxiety. They invest more in the design of new products and partnerships with emerging companies. They encourage the acquisition of new skills in innovation and creativity. They now consider all sources of innovation on the same level, those traditionally derived from technology as well as those originating in management, design, product life cycles, business models or the satisfaction of social needs.

While incremental innovations can be improved using stabilised processes, the search for breakthrough innovation is more a matter of specific practices. The ability to set up a regular innovation machine is a major challenge for organisations today. The ISO 56001 Innovation Management System standard meets this challenge. ISO 56001 provides requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an innovation management system. This standard aims to enhance an organisation’s ability to innovate consistently and successfully.