Today, idea management is more than just collecting good ideas. It is a structured and systematic process that makes a targeted contribution to promoting innovation within departments and strengthening competitiveness. Especially in the context of KIROI, step 6 represents an important milestone in effectively implementing idea management at departmental level and achieving sustainable success.
Idea management as a driver for departmental innovation
The sixth step in the KIROI process focusses on involving employees in their immediate working environment. This allows them to use their expertise directly to develop practical solutions for typical challenges. An example from production shows how targeted workshops in ideas management helped to minimise material waste and increase product quality at the same time. Joint brainstorming led to the efficient adaptation of machine processes.
Innovative duty rosters were also introduced in the HR department through idea management, which both reduced employee stress and increased motivation in the long term. In the logistics department, the analysis and optimisation of transport routes led to considerable savings in time and costs. These examples show how customised idea management can have a major impact in individual departments.
BEST PRACTICE at a customer (name concealed due to NDA contract) In the manufacturing industry, step 6 of the KIROI method was used to initiate a workshop that improved internal communication between the production and quality departments. This enabled sources of error to be identified more quickly and creative solutions to be developed together. This led to a noticeable reduction in rejects and increased employee satisfaction.
Practical implementation of idea management in teams
Successful idea management is based on two key pillars: creative impetus and structured support. Teams come together in moderated idea sessions to bring in different perspectives and evaluate ideas together. In the IT department of a medium-sized company, an automated ticket system was developed in this way. This reduced repetitive tasks and gave the team more freedom for strategic projects.
In the field service, on the other hand, a concept was developed through idea management to reorganise visit intervals. This led to shorter travelling times and greater customer satisfaction. A team in Research and Development also developed new methods for faster prototype tests, which significantly shortened innovation cycles.
BEST PRACTICE at a customer (name concealed due to NDA contract) A logistics department was able to make its supply chains more transparent through the structured implementation of idea management. By developing solutions together with the drivers, routes were optimised and transport times reduced. The project supported team spirit and led to measurable cost savings.
Impulses for sustainable idea management with KIROI Step 6
The KIROI approach supports departments in understanding idea management as an integral part of everyday working life. This is achieved through clear processes that facilitate the submission, evaluation and further development of ideas. It is important that all those involved take on specific responsibilities and that the results are communicated transparently.
Many companies report that this approach not only results in suggestions for improvement, but also in employees identifying more strongly with their work. In one technical services company, for example, idea management was used to optimise the maintenance process by directly involving technicians. Efficiency increased measurably and employees felt more valued.
Another example from the retail sector shows how the shelf layout was made more customer-friendly through continuous idea management. As a result, sales figures increased in individual product categories. In marketing, too, structured ideas workshops led to successful campaign ideas that strengthened the branding in the long term.
My analysis
Idea management is an indispensable part of modern corporate management - and KIROI Step 6 shows how departments can benefit in concrete terms. By promoting an active exchange of ideas and providing structured support for ideas, a creative climate is created that promotes innovation and at the same time increases motivation and efficiency. The examples presented confirm that targeted idea management not only solves problems, but also strengthens entire teams and improves processes in the long term. Companies that adopt these principles lay the foundations for long-term success and continuous development.
Further links from the text above:
What is idea management? Definition, procedures and best practices
Mastering idea management: KIROI step 6 for your department
What is Idea Management 2025: Introduction + Definition
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