The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Innovation management INOV

(new)

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

SFIA 9 is in development

  • SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024.
  • The content of this skill may change before publication.

Guidance notes

(modified)

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
  • building a culture of experimentation and calculated risk-taking
  • adopting strategies to incorporate external ideas and technologies to enhance and accelerate the organisation's innovation efforts
  • using data analytics to drive evidence-based innovation.
  • developing metrics to measure innovation impact and return on investment.

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 responsibilities.

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 who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

5 6 7

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Innovation management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

(unchanged)

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 management: Level 6

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

(unchanged)

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 management: 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.

(unchanged)

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.