Metrics are one of many tools to monitor the performance of a process. For idea generation there are no general metrics which span across industries. Instead, an innovation manager must select idea generation metrics based on the strategy of their company and their current idea needs. The following white paper will discuss the selection of metrics for idea generation projects, and the management of the process given its’ inputs and outputs. Further, a management chart tool is introduced to aid in managing the process.

Download the white paper here

http://techrd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/White_Paper_Metrics_for_Idea_Generation_Glassman_2009.pdf

Proposed release date: August 2009

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Thomas Edison founder of General Electric was the first true inventor of the R&D lab. So I figured he was a worthy place to start my research on idea generation. I dove into references about his company and saw how he invented and marketed their products. He was and interesting character indeed. Next I marched upwards in time toward the current days’ practices and research in idea generation. One would imagine that we evolved much since these humble beginnings in the 1900s, but the statistics tell a different tale. My academic survey sample of mid-to-large cap companies showed that the majority placed very little management attention on their idea generation process, resulting in haphazard and poor ideas. Somewhere in the mix Thomas Edison’s lessons were lost, and if he was alive today he would have laughed at the poor state of these processes. I could imagine him zestfully saying ‘If something is important to you, then manage it!’ So, are you managing your idea generation process?

Dr. Brian Glassman

Ph.D in Innovation Management From Purdue University

Want more info on Idea generation & Idea management visit Dr.Glassman’s Blog TechRd.com/blog

http://www.techrd.com/files/presentations/june23_24/Glassman_Idea_Generation_pres.pdf

http://www.techrd.com/files/presentations/june23_24/Glassman_Model.jpg

http://www.techrd.com/files/presentations/june23_24/Glassman_dissertation.pdf

http://www.techrd.com/files/presentations/june23_24/idea_activities_sources.pdf