Innovation is often seen as the antithesis of bureaucracy-dynamic, creative, and unpredictable. So, what happens when you try to standardize innovation? Is it possible, or would it kill every creative thought? Is it a contradiction in terms, a valuable guide, or just another layer of red tape? This article explores the promise and pitfalls of ISO 56002, helping you decide whether it’s a catalyst for your organization’s creativity or a bureaucratic burden.

What It Is and Why It Has Something to Offer

ISO 56002 is a guidance standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help organizations establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an innovation management system. It’s designed for all types and sizes of organizations, regardless of sector, and aims to provide a systematic approach to managing innovation activities, processes, and culture.

At Nosco, we find the framework helpful, especially in companies that subscribe to the ISO philosophy. Companies that do not should still pay attention. The framework has something to offer, and, on top of that, research consistently demonstrates that creativity can indeed benefit from a structured approach.

The Case for ISO 56002: Why Standardize Innovation?

The structured framework maps out how the processes for identifying, developing, and implementing tomorrow’s business should work (innovative ideas or ideas for new business and services). It helps corporations evaluate and improve how they are staying ahead of market changes and competition. If you do not have any formalized process, it is very hard to do any systematic evaluation and improvement; without it, you are back to relying on hope as a strategy.

The standard encourages organizations to streamline their innovation processes, allocate resources more effectively, and make faster, better decisions.

ISO 56002 emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee engagement, and a supportive culture. It encourages organizations to involve employees at all levels, value creativity, and promote collaboration-both internally and with external partners. In our experience, we see this intention in many corporations, but when it comes to daily practices, fewer corporations manage to do this. That’s why an ISO standard for innovation can be helpful, because with the standard comes a yearly review of how well the corporation is doing. This review is helpful, especially when it comes to systematic funding of the best ideas and ensuring employee engagement.

The standard provides guidance on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, making the innovation process more predictable and less prone to costly failures, or reliance on key individuals’ insistence on ideas.

Adhering to the ISO standard not only demonstrates a commitment to best practices, continuous improvement, and responsible innovation management, but it also enhances your chances of having executives involved and committed to the process as well as the output.

The Structure of ISO 56002

ISO 56002 is built on several core components and principles:

• Organizational Context: Understanding internal and external factors, stakeholder needs, and opportunities for value creation.
• Leadership: Senior management commitment, clear roles, and responsibilities.
• Support: Adequate resources, competencies, and communication.
• PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act): Continuous improvement through planning, execution, evaluation, and adjustment.
• Holistic Approach: The Innovation Management System is fully supported by the Nosco platform and includes cultural aspects such as the importance of employee engagement, practices (training), and balanced portfolio management.

Are There Downsides? Is It a Bureaucratic Nightmare?

While ISO 56002 offers many benefits, some would argue that the very idea of standardizing innovation is an oxymoron-how can creativity be boxed into a set of procedures and checklists? However, we will argue, backed by research, that creativity can benefit from structure. Naturally, there is a risk with any “system” that it’s interpreted too rigidly. The focus on implementing the ISO 56002 standard for innovation management should be to get more and better results, not just compliance with the system.

The framework is so high-level that it allows for tailoring to the specific organization. Naturally, the system itself does not guarantee any transformative or good ideas, but it creates a way to identify, evaluate, and fund the best ideas in the pool. That also allows the company to create a decent pool of ideas for all the search areas and opportunity spaces that the company has.

As with any initiative, there is a potential for cultural resistance. This might be even higher when standardizing innovation processes. People interested in innovation are most likely not the same people who are passionate about standards. However, if the focus is on securing top-level management attention and proper funding for the right ideas, it can be overcome.

Is ISO 56002 Right for You?

ISO 56002 is not a magic bullet. It offers a valuable structure for organizations seeking to professionalize and scale their innovation efforts, especially in environments where a systematic approach can reduce chaos and increase accountability. For large organizations, or those in regulated industries, the standard can help align diverse teams and processes, foster collaboration, and demonstrate a commitment to innovation and tomorrow’s business.

Conclusion: Oxymoron, Help, or Bureaucratic Nightmare?

The reality is that ISO 56002 can be all three-oxymoron, help, and bureaucratic nightmare-depending on how it’s understood and applied. However, we like the framework. We have spent the last 20+ years implementing Innovation Management Systems and helping corporations strengthen their innovation efforts, and we think this is a great framework that can open doors and contribute to that effort. We recommend starting with an assessment of how far the corporation’s innovation efforts are from the ISO 56002 standard and then recommending ways to get closer to certification. It’s not the certification that is the main goal here; it’s enhancing and strengthening the innovation practices that is in focus.