Input of the idea

Users are proved with a link which can open the tool. They log into the system or are given a direct connection via Intranet. The idea can then be entered via a form that contains a number of standard questions. When the user is ready (which can be immediately after providing the requested data or, if applicable, after logging in and out several times), there is a dedicated button with which he or she can indicate that.

Blogs

Communities can be formed to enrich the idea by using blogs, accessed internally or externally.

Categories

Ideas can be assigned to categories. In addition, it is possible to create a hierarchy among the various categories. Also, ideas can linked to a category owner.

Stage gate

Different phases will be defined, for example an input phase, concept phase and feasibility phase. Between these phases ‘gates’ will be defined, for which individual score forms can be defined.

Score form

Usually, an idea will be assessed by one or several people in an innovation board (or judging committee). After the idea has been entered and the initial check has been carried out by the process owner, in most cases the idea manager, a link will be sent to the members of the innovation board. On opening the link, they see the idea form and the score form on their screen at the same time (dual screen).

This makes assessing the idea a user-friendly process. When it is required, the person submitting the idea can remain anonymous. It is possible to award scores on individual criteria as well as defining the level of certainty of the various scores.

After the score form has been completed, it is returned to the idea manager, who can summarize the results of the scores. The idea manager can provide the averages of the various assessments of the idea and superimpose the assessments, to make it clear on which elements there is either agreement or disagreement. This can be done during the period discussions of appraisal.

Appraisal and Selection of ideas

It is possible to indicate the relative attractiveness of the idea in specific reports. There are several tools in IMS that make sure that the advantages and disadvantages of the various ideas will be presented in the appropriate way, allowing for an adequate feedback to the person who has generated the idea. It is also possible to ask for greater clarity and to incorporate the response.

After discussing the assessment results, the idea manager can decide whether to pass on to the next phase, to hand the idea back to the person who generated it, or to discard the idea. It is also possible to make suggestions on how to improve the idea in the idea form, using dedicated comment boxes. Comments made in this comment box will be stored.

E-mail alerts

The Idea Manager has an overview of all the idea mutations that take place, making it possible to keep track of all the relevant developments and deadlines.

Special campaigns

The IMS makes it possible to set up special campaigns on specific themes. It is likely that these campaigns will significantly increase the ideas being generated within the organization.

Portfolio Management

The IMS includes special Portfolio Management Tools that allow senior management to see at a glance whether the ideas being generated within their organization have the right balance. With the easy drill down functionalities one can see more details.

Innovation scorecard

A cockpit can be installed that gives senior management insight into potential bottlenecks in the idea management process.

Tracking en Tracing

Whenever mutations take place with regard to an idea, the person responsible for generating the idea is informed via an e-mail with a link, which allows him or her to keep track of the development of the idea, as well as relevant information concerning adjustments, comments, assessments, category ownership, etc…

Authorisation

The identity of the person generating an idea is known after logging in under one’s own name or by using the Windows identity information. This allows people to indicate how they wish to be identified.

Search engine

There are extensive search possibilities that make it possible to search one or more fields of the idea form. This way, people can check whether or not a specific idea has already been entered into the system at an earlier date. In addition, it is possible to conduct an automatic search while entering a new idea to look for similar ideas.

Interfaces

The system can communicate with common used platforms used within organizations, like Intranet, Share Point, etc.

Database

The SQL database has a maximum size of 4Gb, which corresponds to 50.000 ideas. Upgrading to standard MS SQL Server is possible without having to make adjustments. After the upgrade, the size of the database is no longer limited.