Giving Shape to the Fuzzy Front End of Innovation

Starting a new innovation initiative can be overwhelming, especially when tasked with improving a company's portfolio of ideas. The fuzzy front end of innovation can be challenging to navigate, but there are resources available to help. While idea management software can be beneficial, it is essential to establish a solid foundation of understanding innovation first. This includes finding a space to relate what idea management means to you and your organization, building knowledge and awareness through a discovery, learning, and evaluating pathway, and deepening the front end of understanding through external awareness and market capture. It is also crucial to filter out the noise from raw ideas and to constantly challenge and synthesize ideas in order to build a portfolio of promising concepts.