What is the structure of the EFQM Innovation Framework?

Here, we will focus on the Execution criteria of the EFQM Innovation Framework. There are three criteria in Execution, let’s take a closer look at each of them here:

Engaging stakeholders

In this criterion, the focus is on how an organisation collaborates and manages its relationships with its stakeholders.

There are two sub-criteria:

Possibilities. This covers how an organisation identifies now ideas and opportunities, particularly through interactions with stakeholders. The main stakeholders could include employees, customers, suppliers, partners and society.

Collaboration. This looks at the potential for collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Creating sustainable value

The emphasis in Criterion 4 is on making sure that the knowledge gained, through the engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, is used effectively. There are many sources of knowledge that lead to innovation. These sources of knowledge include business intelligence, market research, intellectual property rights and internal sharing.

Again, there are two sub-criteria:

Knowledge management. This sub-criterion focuses on how knowledge is developed, protected and used to best effect in the organisation.

Sustainability. Here the focus is on turning ideas into something that is valued by stakeholders, e.g. products, services, solutions.

Criterion 5: Processes

The final criterion in Execution covers processes and resources:

Processes. Here the focus in on how an organisation establishes a structured approach to identifying, prioritising and acting on innovation opportunities and ideas. Many think that having a process in place to encourage and manage innovation may actually prevent innovation. However, successful innovation is dependent on applying process thinking in the follow areas:

• how ideas are identified and evaluated
• how employees are given the tools and techniques to facilitate innovative thinking
• how learning is shared
• how the impact of innovation is measured

Resources. This sub-criterion focuses on the allocation of appropriate resource to support innovation activity in an organisation. Resources could include employees, time, budget and IT support.