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Targeting the “Right” Roadmapping Maturity Level for Your Organization

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

In an exclusive article for Sopheon’s inKNOWvations, Irene Petrick introduces her roadmapping maturity model and identifies six possible levels of maturity.

The term strategic roadmapping implies a well-integrated and on-going company practice that systematically links market and technology evolution into a compelling product portfolio. How many companies actually achieve this level of roadmapping? Few, it appears.

Nonetheless, roadmapping does add value to the vast majority of companies who are using this technique. The perceived value is related to roadmapping maturity. Therefore, a careful consideration of your company’s maturity level may identify a path forward to greater success and sustainability.

Long-Tail Economics? Give Me Blockbusters!

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The importance of blockbusters has been challenged recently by Chris Anderson's long tail theory that you can make money in many creative industries by selling specialized products to niche markets identified via the Internet. For example, the new CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceuticals giant, likens the search for blockbusters to "finding a needle in a haystack when you need it." He also worries that a company is at risk if sales depend too much on one or two megabrands that could run into lawsuits from generic competitors or regulatory challenges.

The Next Step in Open Innovation (Part 3 of 3)

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Part one discussed the new face of innovation that is facilitated by the rise of the Web as a participatory platform and the value that is being leveraged from this new functionality. In August, part two considered challenges of open innovation including attracting and motivating cocreators, structuring problems, governance mechanisms, and maintaining quality.

This third and final installment discusses lessons learned from communities, and cocreation through evolution.