What does innovation management involve?

Innovation management is fundamentally about overseeing the process of innovation throughout its lifecycle, which includes identifying opportunities, developing ideas, implementing changes, and ensuring that innovations are effectively integrated within an organization. This process is dynamic and requires flexibility to adapt to new information and changing market conditions, making the management of change a critical component.

Effective innovation management helps organizations keep pace with evolving technologies and consumer demands, facilitating not just the generation of new ideas but also their execution and eventual commercialization. This approach enhances an organization's ability to sustain competitive advantage by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness to external shifts.

While options involving rigid processes for product development or streamlining existing operational procedures may focus on efficiency, they do not fully encompass the broader and more flexible nature of innovation management. Similarly, reducing research and development expenses can undermine the potential for innovation, as it often requires investment in exploration and experimentation.