Innovation Maturity Levels

Not GIMI Rated

The organization lacks a clear innovation purpose and focus. Innovation is perceived as unimportant, disruptive, and intangible.

 Level One: Innovation Management Proficient

The organization has a vague, generic purpose and focus for innovation, but lacks clear linkage to strategic objectives or customer needs. The innovation pipeline is basic and poorly defined due to a lack of leadership commitment to a cohesive innovation culture. 

Level Two: Innovation Management Master

The organization has a clear and relevant innovation purpose, with multiple focus areas, an intermediate pipeline/portfolio, and a structured innovation process that leverages collaborative teaming and partnering, dedicated resources, and leadership commitment to fostering innovation culture. Measurement metrics align with strategic objectives and customer needs. Innovation is perceived as necessary to achieving a competitive advantage.

Level Three: Innovation Leadership Proficient

The organization has a compelling and inspiring innovation purpose, advanced focus areas aligned with strategic objectives and customer needs, and an advanced pipeline/portfolio with clear criteria and metrics. The organization employs a structured and collaborative innovation process, with strong teaming and partnering networks, dedicated resources, and a dedicated innovation team. Innovation is seen as meaningful, strategic, and behavior-driven, and innovative behavior and outcomes are recognized and rewarded.

Level Four: Innovation Leadership Master

The organization is an innovation leader with a distinctive and transformative purpose. Regularly updated focus areas, a dynamic pipeline/portfolio with clear criteria and channels for innovation process management, strong teaming and partnering networks, and a formal evaluation process that rewards and recognizes outstanding innovation results create a supportive innovation culture committed to results. Innovation is seen as an essential way of life.