Innovation INOV

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Identifying, prioritising, incubating and exploiting opportunities provided by information, communication and digital technologies.

SFIA 9 is in development

SFIA 9 beta due in early July 2024
SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024

This is a prototype for SFIA 9. It is subject to change before publication.

Guidance notes

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This skill focuses on a systematic, organisational approach to innovation. It is not describing personal behaviours, such as creativity.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

developing and implementing processes, tools and infrastructures to support innovation
implementing innovation practices to support iterative/agile working
facilitating internal and external communities, employees, commercial partners, customers, users and other stakeholders in the innovation process
providing a framework for governance, monitoring and reporting on the innovation process.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and reponsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others with tasks (generic examples are provided by the essence statements for each level)

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Levels

Defined at these levels:

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and supervises others, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Innovation: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for achieving workgroup objectives and managing work from analysis to execution and evaluation.

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Manages the innovation pipeline and executes innovation processes.

Develops and adapts innovation tools, processes and infrastructures to drive the process of innovation. Identifies resources and capabilities needed to support innovation.

Encourages and motivates innovation communities, teams and individuals to share creative ideas and learn from failures.

Manages and facilitates the communication and open flow of creative ideas between interested parties and the set-up of innovation networks and communities.

Innovation: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, fosters organizational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

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Obtains organisational commitment to innovation.

Develops organisational capabilities to drive innovation.

Leads and plans the development of innovation capabilities and implementation of innovation processes, tools and frameworks.

Leads the communication and an open flow of creative ideas between interested parties and the set-up of innovation networks and communities.

Innovation: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

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Leads development of a culture that encourages innovation, risk-taking and collaboration.

Embeds innovation processes throughout business units and links strategy execution with innovation.

Aligns organisational and individual objectives, measures and rewards with innovation.