Idea Management platforms, or innovation platforms, are perfect for generating ideas and getting customer feedback. They make it easy to reach out to our target audience, test the new ideas, and manage feedback in an organized manner, creating a clearer path for innovation in your company. While they have much to offer, innovation platforms can only be successful if chosen and utilized correctly, which is why it is important to select a platform that works for your goals. Here we lay out five simple things to consider before choosing the best innovation platform for your company. You can also download a template to do your own assessment with some repopulated data from our side.
1. Your organization’s innovation goals and scope
It is important to first understand where you are on the innovation journey. What are your long and short term goals, and will an innovation platform help you to meet these goals? After assessing your innovation progress and needs, you may realize that now is not the right time to use an innovation platform. Think about how your company will benefit from having a platform; if it doesn’t meet your goals, there are many other options to help cultivate innovation in your company.
2. The needs of your users
In order for an innovation platform to be successful, it must meet the needs of your users. Within the company or not, users of the platform must find it easy to use. If your target audience is in the Middle East, it would be beneficial to ensure that the software has Arabic options. Ensure the software is engaging and looks like something your audience would want to use, as it is the medium which will ultimately connect you to them.
3. Your functional needs
Ensuring that the software meets your functional needs is one of the most crucial components in choosing an innovation platform. It is vital to ensure that your platform aligns with your goals as a company, as this changes based on the type, size, and objectives of your organization. How does the software manage ideas and projects? Does the way in which the platform gathers ideas and organizes projects line up with the type of data you hope to collect from it? Will the style of the platform be right for the goals of your organization?
It is important that you are able to collect the information you need from the platform, and also that you have the amount of control over the process as you require. Another factor is how flexible and scalable the platform is. If you need to gather large and small ideas, does it allow you to do so? Can you adapt the platform to collect different types of data, depending on the requirements of your organization? Keep all of these questions in mind while searching for a platform that will suit your goals functionally.
4. Cost and other functions
Check whether this platform suits your budget. Approximately how much would it cost at a minimum to implement this software? Often times, innovation software has other additionally functions, which could be of use in your company. Examples of functions include a community component, training services, and user analytics, but some companies may charge extra for these benefits. Some platforms may also have a maximum user allowance. Ensure that the platform suits all of your needs and is also within your required budget.
5. Your organization’s technical needs
Does it have the necessary security? It is important to ensure that the platform secures customer data, and that the data received is reliable and from your audience. The technical aspect also includes factors like data storage, integration, and compatibility. Select a platform that is capable of processing and storing the quantity of data that your company will require. Also check that the software can integrate in a way that is right for your company. Would you like employees within your company to use the tool through an intranet? Is it important to enable email as a tool for engagement? What type of data would you like to gather from your audience, and does this tool enable you to do that? Finally, ensure that the software is compatible with your servers and operating systems.
6. Implementation
How soon do you need to collect data? Does this platform allow you to do so? When it comes to innovation software, ease of implementation is an important factor. Ensure that your software can be implemented in the timeline that is required for your company. Another important of this is the customer support that is available to you. Is there local support from this company in your region in order to quickly answer questions and help you with implementation? Finally, check whether the platform is prominent and reliable. Does it have good feedback from other people in your region or area of focus? If not, do they at least have good customer service and prompt responses?
The above six factors are simple but very comprehensive, and will allow you to select a platform that thoroughly meets the needs of your company. Once you have followed these steps and chosen an appropriate innovation platform, set up a first version and test it. It may be necessary to iterate and improve upon the system periodically, based on the needs of your company and what you are gaining from the platform. Iteration is an extremely important aspect of having an innovation platform, as it will enable you to stay on track and benefit the most from the system. If you follow these steps to choose a platform and continue to iterate, your company will be well on its way to innovation and success.
if you want to know more about the tools available in the market, you can consult The Forrester WaveTM: Innovation Management Solutions, Q2 2016.
