Designing an innovation engine model with stakeholder participation, exploratory stage

This paper presents results of the exploratory stage in the design of an open innovation engine model with innovation stakeholder participation. An innovation engine model is a representation of the components and interactions involved in the creation of novel solutions, systems or processes. They are mechanisms designed to help producing effective and efficient collaborations within organizations, or among large organizations (LO) and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Although there have been innovation engine models designed to support different organization in sectors such as healthcare, public services, aerospace, education and businesses, there is still missing a cost-effective model that helps creating new markets for SMEs by finding challenges requested by large organizations that need innovative solutions provided by SMEs' capabilities. Improved and actualized knowledge in this subject could contribute to inform the creation of more efficient and enhanced innovation mechanisms, which could be later engineered in innovation software tools. We organized a workshop with nine innovation stakeholders to brainstorm ideas towards the creation of an innovation model using participatory design. Results showed the components desired in an innovation engine model and the specification of a tool that can be later engineered in a software application. Interesting findings included the creation of a mechanism to correctly identify ideas, needs and requirements that may lead to produce innovative solutions, and the visualization of the idea in a polygonal-multi-point-of-view.