Innovation Pipeline

Definition

The innovation pipeline is the pathway for ideas from initial registration over development to launch or implementation. Innovation managers typically keep track of the innovation pipeline to see if ideas are moving ahead as planned.

The innovation pipeline is a way of managing ideas and reporting on the progress of the innovation processes. The pipeline resembles the steps of the innovation process starting from the early ideation stage (for example in an idea campaign or innovation challenge), over validation and incubation, to acceleration and scaling. Once an idea is transferred to a business unit, the responsibility is typically transferred to that unit. There is typically a set of KPIs relating to the innovation pipeline that will enable managers to manage resources across the pipeline and to make sure that strategic goals can be realized. A weak pipeline is a common motivation for starting an idea campaign or innovation challenge.