Integrated Evaluation System for the Strategic Management of Innovation Initiatives in Manufacturing Industries

The innovation capability of industrial organizations is an essential prerequisite to stay ahead of the global competition by adapting flexible to the rapidly changing customer requirements. However, the success of innovation initiatives is often at risk, due to short-sighted, unsystematic planning-, implementation- and evaluation activities. For this purpose an integrated evaluation approach has been developed by Fraunhofer IPK to manage the lifecycle of an innovation initiative in terms of implementation progress and operational performance in a sustainable way. The Evaluation System follows a multi-perspective approach that involves internal and external stakeholders by applying a combination of evaluation instruments including key performance indicators, self-assessment- and audit procedures as well as monitoring- and reporting tools. As a main output of the Evaluation System, specific improvement suggestions and action plans can be derived to react agile on potential challenges.