subject: Handling Managerial Blind Spots With Innovation Process Management [print this page] As a manager of an organization shifts his frame of thought and daily work task from a specific specialization to a more general frame of thought, there is a reduced line of vision into specific functional areas. Even with the development of corporate innovation, relying solely on upper management with experience can lead to blind spots in the development of innovation process management.
One of the goals of upper management in an organization is the gain the ability to thinking wide and in depth in the various scenarios and challenges proposed to the organization. These individuals rely on the experts in the organization to develop the information the manager cannot see with his own eyes. When a solution requires innovation management or corporate innovation utilizing the innovation management software as a way to tackle many facets of a problem can be highly effective. Information delivered to a manager can be asymmetrical and at time accidental. Experts sometime assume that managers know every detail even though they are supervising and overseeing the various projects. With missing or accidental information the development of managerial blind spots exists. These blind spots can result in the poor decision making. Idea Management software can reduce these blind spots by building a resource for communication, problem solving, and relaying the messages of upcoming challenges which will require a solution.
In paradox, to the blind spots created by miscommunication and misinformation in management, the decisions that are developed with minimal vision, higher chain of command, and ideas through and innovation management system can conclude in wider decision making. The decisions that result when a manager is utilizing and idea management software can be wide and encompassing. The manager looks for wide ramifications which will satisfy multiple skill sets and involvement of multiple parties. Depth and specialization is not always the solution for innovation management. At times, one specific skill set can solve a problem but at times it will require collaboration and communication.
Innovation tools democratize information by increasing access to it. Although managers have the option to privatize certain pieces of information and challenges, it is important that an innovation management system is capable of being shared across multiple platforms to various people within an organization. Sometimes, this requires the participation and involvement of individuals across organizations and between businesses and their customers who have access to the idea management software. When information can now flow freely to all levels in the organization, including upwards to management, the impact of the innovation management software can change the structure of how information is relayed within the business. The perspective in which the leader and the experts can shift from a position of superiority to the comfort level of open dialogue, connecting on information, and creating a learning experience with feedback, and humble exchange of various views. Using idea management software help create and build this environment for the development of innovation process management.
