Management Scholars Academy

Innovation Management System

Do we need an IMS then? Yes of course. IM policy should clarify that the organization believes that every one can innovate in spite of their level in the organization and the needed support will be provided. The key to innovation is in asking the right questions rather than finding the correct answers. Some times the question is the innovation! Finding an answer to that question may follow a systematic approach. The IM procedures should give guidance on how to ask the right questions and find the viable answer through pilots. In the end, if the innovation can be deployed across the organization, it should be done through the QMS. There should be links to IM assets and mentors who can ignite minds to innovate.

QMS and quality control cannot be compromised for Organizational Innovation Deployment. Otherwise newer products and services may meet changes to requirement but will stop meeting the original requirements.

Training and orientation

Training for innovation can be more effective through mentoring and coaching. Books, videos etc from powerful speakers can kindle the fire. Don’t forget MS Academy workshops.

Audits?

Audits typically focus on non-conformances and defects and so do not apply to innovation management. Instead as part of coaching, the coach can ask the innovator to create a self review checklist and use that to measure progress. How about measurement and rewards and so on?

I am sure when Philip Crosby said, “Quality is free”, people would have wondered how it can be. They would have confused quality with grade and said, “Better quality products are always costly.” Or they would have confused quality with goodness and said, “Not everyone can produce good quality. There are good workers and sloppy ones.” Crosby defined quality as conformity to certain specifications set forth by management and not some vague concept of “goodness.” These specifications are not arbitrary either; they must be set according to customer needs and wants. Now we all agree that everybody can acquire knowledge, skills and process abilities based on his/her strengths and produce quality work.

Quality is free

Having worked for the past 11 years in I.T. quality management (Implemening CMMi, People CMM, ISO, PMBok) out of the 17 years in the industry, I have convinced myself about the truth in the book “Quality is Free” by Philip.B.Crosby. In that book, the author emphasizes that doing things right the first time adds nothing to the cost of a product or service. What costs, and costs dearly in terms of rework, test, warranty, inspection, and service after service, is doing things wrong.