Assessement

Assessment Tool 



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 behavior 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).



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.  There is a strong commitment to training and development of people

5.  We have good ‘win-win’ relationships with our suppliers

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 take time to review our projects to improve our projects to improve our performance next time

10.  We are good at understanding the needs of our customers/end-users    

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 centers 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 organizations   

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’ develop innovative new products and services

40.  We use measurements 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:



 Based on your results, what can you conclude about your organization’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for growth?



Textbook:  Tidd, J. & Bessant, J. (2009). Managing Innovation : Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change. (4th Ed.). Hoboken, NJ:  Wiley & Sons.