Comparing Innovation Management Standards: The GInI CInOrg & CGInO Accreditations and ISO 56001

In the realm of innovation management, organizations have various options for standardization and accreditation. Two prominent frameworks that often come up in discussions are the Global Innovation Institute (GInI) Business Accreditations and the ISO 56000 series, particularly ISO 56001. This post aims to provide an objective comparison of these two approaches to help organizations understand their differences and potential benefits.

ISO 56000 Series and ISO 56001

The ISO 56000 series is a set of international standards focused on innovation management. Within this series, ISO 56001 stands out as the only requirements specification, while the others serve as supporting guidelines. These standards are designed to establish fundamental practices for innovation management within organizations.

Key characteristics of the ISO approach:

1. Provides a framework for implementing basic innovation management practices
2. Focuses on prescribing certain elements to be in place
3. Offers an internationally recognized standard

It's worth noting that as of now, ISO 56001 has not been officially released, which means organizations cannot yet be accredited to this specific standard.

GInI's Business Accreditations

Global Innovation Institute (GInI) offers various business accreditations, including the Certified Innovative Organization (CInOrg) and the Certified Government Innovative Organization (CGInO). GInI's approach to accreditation aims to assess an organization's innovation maturity across multiple dimensions.

Key characteristics of GInI's approach:

1. Evaluates the presence of required innovation elements

2. Assesses the effectiveness of innovation management practices

3. Considers the alignment of innovation efforts with organizational strategy

4. Examines the outcomes and results of innovation initiatives

Comparing the Approaches

While both frameworks aim to improve innovation management, they differ in their scope and focus:

1. Scope: ISO 56001 primarily focuses on establishing basic practices, while GInI's accreditations aim to assess overall innovation maturity.

2. Assessment: The ISO standard is more about compliance with specified requirements, whereas GInI's approach includes an evaluation of effectiveness and outcomes.

3.  Strategic Alignment: GInI's accreditations explicitly assess how strategically an organization uses its innovation program, which is not a primary focus of the ISO standard.

4.  Availability: ISO 56001 is not yet released for accreditation, while GInI's accreditations are currently available.

5. Recognition: ISO standards are internationally recognized across various industries, while GInI is building its reputation as a specialized innovation management authority.

Compatibility and Choice

It's important to note that these approaches are not mutually exclusive. Organizations can potentially pursue both ISO certification (when available) and GInI accreditation if they find value in both approaches.

The choice between these frameworks - or the decision to pursue both - will depend on various factors, including:

1. The organization's current innovation maturity

2. Specific industry requirements or preferences

3. The desire for international standardization versus specialized innovation assessment

4.The organization's goals for its innovation program

Conclusion

Both the ISO 56000 series and GInI's business accreditations offer valuable frameworks for organizations looking to improve their innovation management practices. While ISO provides a widely recognized set of standards for basic practices, GInI offers a more comprehensive assessment of innovation maturity and effectiveness.

Organizations should carefully consider their specific needs, goals, and industry context when choosing between these approaches. As the field of innovation management continues to evolve, staying informed about different standards and accreditations will be crucial for organizations aiming to enhance their innovative capabilities.