Introduction to the ISO 56000 Series

In December 2013, more than 100 experts from 52 countries started working on something most organizations had been doing informally forever: figuring out how to manage innovation. The result, after six years of collaboration, was ISO 56002. It was published in July 2019.

The standard was originally called ISO 50501. They renamed it to ISO 56002 before publication. This created a cohesive family of innovation management standards. The numbering mirrors other ISO systems like quality management (ISO 9000-9004).

Here are the key milestones:

Overview of the ISO 56000 Numbering System

Each number in the series indicates the standard's role:

• ISO 56000: Fundamentals and vocabulary (the foundation)
• ISO 56001: Innovation Management requirements standard (certifiable, published September 2024)
• ISO 56002: Guidance standard (non-certifiable, the implementation how-to)
• ISO 56003: Tools and methods for innovation partnerships
• ISO/TR 56004: Innovation management assessment (technical report)
• ISO 56005: Intellectual property management tools
• ISO 56006: Strategic intelligence management
• ISO 56007: Idea management
• ISO 56008: Innovation operation measurements

Differences Between ISO 56002, ISO 56001, and ISO 56007

Understanding the difference between these standards is essential for planning your compliance strategy. They serve different purposes. Getting them confused leads to wasted effort.

ISO 56002:2019 as a Guidance Standard

ISO 56002 provides guidance for the establishment, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of an innovation management system. It does not prescribe requirements or specific tools or methods for innovation activities.

Key characteristics:

• Language: Uses "should" (recommended practices)
• Purpose: Explains how to build an effective innovation management system
• Certification: Not directly certifiable (attestations of conformity available)
• Flexibility: Adaptable guidance for different organization types
• Approach: Practical implementation advice with examples

ISO 56001:2024 as a Requirements Standard

ISO 56001, released in September 2024, is the only certifiable standard in the series. It sets out mandatory requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an innovation management system.

Key characteristics:

• Language: Uses "shall" (mandatory requirements)
• Purpose: Defines what an innovation management system must include
• Certification: Fully certifiable by accredited third-party bodies
• Structure: Prescriptive requirements against which audits are conducted
• Approach: Based on the guidance principles of ISO 56002

ISO 56007 as a Toolkit Standard

ISO 56007 is the standard dedicated to Idea Management. While ISO 56001 sets the requirements for the overall system and ISO 56002 gives the general guidance, ISO 56007 provides the specific tools and methods for managing ideas at the operational level.

The early stage of innovation is often chaotic and difficult to manage. Some call it the "Fuzzy Front End." ISO 56007 is designed to structure this phase. It does not contain requirements for the whole system. It offers specific methodologies for managing the flow of ideas. This makes it relevant for managers configuring innovation management software and workflows for ideation pipelines.

Specifically, it supports ISO 56001 Clause 8: Operations. That clause requires you to have a process to manage innovation initiatives. ISO 56007 provides the handbook on how to run the ideation and selection parts of that process.

Key characteristics:

• Language: Uses "should" (guidelines and recommendations)
• Purpose: Provides guidelines for managing opportunities and ideas at the operational level, specifically focusing on the front end of innovation
• Certification: Not certifiable (provides supporting tools and methods)
• Structure: Organized around three iterative processes: Identification, Concept Creation, and Validation
• Approach: Practical tools, workflows and methods