The License To Lead Innovation — How You Can Get One Too
The world’s first certification according to the ISO 17024 standard
Only a handful of individuals have yet gone through the unique process of becoming certified innovation management professionals. Unlike companies that offer training, testing, and certification all in one package, the new ISO-based certification process raises the bar for higher quality and adds another level of transparency and trustworthiness.
Founded in Sweden by researchers from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm together with the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and the Association for Innovation Management Professionals (Innovationsledarna) the certification and its process are unique.
RISE is certifying new applicants through its unique certification process. They also handle and hand out certificates to applicants who pass the rigorous steps.
Anyone can apply to become certified, as long as they meet the requirements. An applicant does not need to have formal training in innovation, but it is advised to freshen up the skills beforehand. Each applicant's suitability is being individually assessed.
Not like it used to be
Innovation management might not be considered a brand new profession since the term has been around for decades. However, there is room for debating whether the technology transformation we are currently in requires new ways to lead and manage innovation.
Leading innovation today differs quite a bit from two decades ago. The digital transformation and the rapid technological advancements we’ve seen since have brought us new business models, products, and services, as well as new ways of doing things.
Facilitating creative workshops, design thinking sessions, or innovation projects in general requires a new type of leadership and guidance. Leadership defined by attributes rather than skills will have a significant impact on innovation success.
Curiosity, resilience, and perseverance are, like most attributes, difficult to measure but fundamental to leading innovation. We need curiosity to explore whether something can be done or not. Resilience is important to determine how well we can adapt to a new environment when things around us change. Perseverance is a must to handle setbacks and challenges, which often happen in innovation.
Why certify in the first place?
The reasons to apply for a certification can be many. The certificate itself will not give you new skills or knowledge, but it can create other values for individuals.
Researchers Ingrid Kihlander, Mats Magnusson, and Magnus Karlsson, all three from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, reveal the results of their interviews with previously certified innovation management professionals¹.
The respondents gave the following reasons why they decided to get certified:
- “To formalize the necessary knowledge“
- “Test whether they met the levels of knowledge and experience that were required”
- “Legitimizing the discipline of innovation management”
- “Being a certified innovation manager builds trustworthiness”
What it the ISO 17024?
The standard being used in the certification process of innovation management professionals is called ISO/IEC 17024: Conformity assessment—General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. As bureaucratic as it might sound, it really is the backbone of the process and adds transparency and trust to the certification that others can’t.
Not only does the standard provide general requirements for organizations certifying individuals, but it also ensures they operate in a consistent and reliable way.
It establishes criteria for developing certification programs and provides guidance on the assessment process, exams, and granting and renewing certifications.
Developing a certification program based on the ISO 17024 standard will add legitimacy due to its rigorous requirements.
The steps in the process
If you are interested in becoming a certified innovation management professional, these are the steps you need to follow:
1) Read the jobs description and certification rules
First, read the documents and see if the certification is for you and if you are eligible to apply.
2) Fill out the formal application
Fill out and submit the formal application, and accept the application fee of around $1400.
3) Fill out and submit the Proof of experience document
The proof of experience is to verify you have the right skills and knowledge to proceed with the certification process. You need at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
4) Fill out and submit the Suitability document
As an applicant, you have to accept, apply, and advocate the following principles: objectivity, integrity, culture, and legislation.
5) Describe a case you’ve worked on as an Innovation Management Professional
Write about a case you have worked on or are working on that illustrates your experience as an innovation management professional.
6) Take the written exam
The exam takes about 3 hours to finish and is based on the latest version of the Body of Knowledge developed by the Association for Innovation Management Professionals in Sweden.
7) Present you case to the examiner
Once you are done writing your case, you schedule a time to present it to the examiner.
8) Wait for the answer
After completing all the steps above, which are not necessarily in the right order, you can relax. You’ve done your part, and you have to wait for the certification engineer at RISE to go through your application, exam, case, and other documents and assess if you pass.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified innovation management professional can be the next step for many innovation practitioners. Getting a unique certificate can create competitive advantages by verifying the individual’s skills and knowledge and creating trust within the organization.
Innovation management has changed over the past twenty years, which has led to a demand for innovation leaders and innovation management professionals who can lead innovation. Leadership skills have become more important in determining whether innovation initiatives will succeed or fail. Skills are no longer the most important component when leading innovation; attributes might have a greater impact.
The reasons for becoming certified can vary among applicants. Research shows a certificate can legitimize the profession not only for the individual but also for the organization. Being perceived as someone who is skilled, knowledgeable, and trustworthy was important to the respondents.
Building a certification program according to the ISO 17024 standard not only separates the concerns about where innovation can be taught, what content is accurate, and who can examine it, but also covers the assessment process.
Anybody can apply to become a certified innovation management professional as long as they meet the requirements and get through the process and final assessment.
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References:
[1] Kihlander, I., Magnusson, M., and Karlsson, M. (2022). Certification of Innovation Management Professionals: Reasons for and Results from Acquiring Certification, Journal of Innovation Management, 10(1), 58–75.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_010.001_0004
