How innovative is your organisation?

I wish to complete this journey into nurturing imagination and introducing creativity by providing a few guidelines for evaluating the performance of an innovative organisation.

As you may expect, rather than a small number of clear parameters there are many facets necessary for the development and maintenance of a creative environment. However, a number of features have been identified that can provide a framework for the assessment of innovative environments. They fall under the seven main headings of strategy, communications, resources, networks, values, recognition and history.

From my own work I have developed evaluation indicators for each heading. They align well with the ideas developed during the National Innovation Summit held in February 2000 to explore the best ways to promote innovation in Australian industry. How does your organisation measure up?

Assessing the innovative environment of your organisation

1. Strategy

   • A clear statement that imagination and creativity are key components of the organisation s goals and plans.

   • Clear linkages between the functional areas and the development and business strategies.

2. Communications

   • Open and trusted communication in all directions.

3. Resources

   • Recognised and enthusiastic leaders operating in key technology areas.

   • Continued investment in leading-edge facilities and staff.

   • Open and willing access to senior staff in the organisation.

   • Mentoring and coaching supported and accessible.

   • Mechanisms for staff to mingle and relax informally, allowing the exchange of ideas in a different environment and encouraging the development of wider relationships.

4. Networks

   • Strong links and alliances between all parts of the organisation to achieve significant interaction.

   • Programs for the exchange and rotation of staff to aid in the fertilisation of new ideas.

5. Values

   • Staff are supported.

   • Ethics is core to our interactions and our future.

   • Risk is accepted and managed.

   • Staff are respected and encouraged to accept responsibility for their decisions.

   • Individuals are encouraged to generate ideas.

   • Ideas are allowed time to germinate.

   • Time can be negotiated to pursue developmental activities or ideas.

   • The temptation to quickly counter any new idea is resisted.

6. Recognition

   • There are appropriate awards, recognition and rewards for achievement.

   • Successes in ideas, contracts, promotions, and personal events are shared.

7. History

   • Maintenance of the organisation s corporate memory is by recognition of folklore and past champions .

   • Organisational knowledge, experience and skills are accessible to all, thus maximising opportunity by building upon previous work, stimulating ideas, utilising available talents and assisting in assembling the best teams .