6 Innovation Management Tools to Build a Scalable Program — Start with What You Need Today
Innovation teams often face the challenge of doing more with less. Launching bold ideas, engaging stakeholders, and proving impact, all while working within tight budgets and limited tools, can be daunting. You know the work is multifaceted: scouting, evaluating, managing pipelines, and keeping everyone aligned. However, digitizing and streamlining these tasks gets complicated, especially when patching together multiple tools that don't quite fit.
In this article, we'll guide you through six essential tools to help you build a scalable innovation program. If you're not ready for all six, don't worry. By reading to the end, you'll see how Skipso allows you to start with what you need and grow at your own pace, all within a single platform.
Sourcing & submission management
Your journey begins with idea submission. Form builders like Typeform and Google Forms efficiently capture valuable innovations. For sourcing ideas from startups, powerful databases like Crunchbase and F6S streamline collections and organization. By facilitating the submission process, these tools prioritize the best ideas based on merit, feasibility, and strategic alignment. Ultimately, they build a rich innovation portfolio filled with groundbreaking projects.
Evaluation & scorecarding
After ideas enter the pipeline, efficient evaluation becomes key. Tools like Submittable and SurveyMonkey Apply offer structured criteria to all evaluators for assessing each proposal's potential. By using quantitative and qualitative metrics, organizations can quickly identify innovative ideas. These tools provide clarity, enabling informed decision-making and fostering transparency and accountability through measurable outcomes.
Pipeline & workflow management
Turning ideas or startup collaborations into reality requires seamless coordination. Pipeline and workflow management tools map out every stage of the innovation journey. Some organizations use tools like Asana, HubSpot, and Airtable to manage these flows. They offer a clear overview of project progress, ensuring maximum efficiency. By maintaining momentum and adapting to changes with agility, organizations drive projects from concept to completion with minimal risk.
Community & ecosystem engagement
Innovation thrives on collaboration. Engaging with a community broadens perspectives and generates revenue solutions. Tools for community engagement like circle.so facilitate collaboration with stakeholders and partners, encouraging idea exchanges and fostering partnerships. By utilizing these tools, user engagement increases, leveraging gamification features to effectively engage external users.
Content & resource sharing
Knowledge must flow freely to support a culture of innovation. Content management systems and resource-sharing tools provide centralized repositories without incurring additional user fees. With easy access to best practices and research materials, teams continuously learn and grow. These tools ensure everyone contributes effectively to innovation initiatives, producing measurable outcomes.
Branded web portals & hosting
A strong digital presence showcases innovation efforts. Branded web portals and hosting solutions offer platforms to demonstrate commitment to innovation. Tools like Webflow and Squarespace boost your digital presence and engagement. These portals serve as hubs for internal and external audiences, highlighting success stories and upcoming events, thereby enhancing the organization's reputation and reach.
Bringing it all together with Skipso
By integrating powerful tools, organizations transform their innovation approach. Skipso offers a comprehensive solution, centralizing these features into one user-friendly platform. Our innovation management software streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and drives impactful results. With Skipso's modular pricing, you start with exactly what you need today and add more as your programs scale.
