The Idea Maturity Model — A Dynamic Approach to Evaluate Idea Maturity

In idea creation and assessment processes, the accruement and the description of an idea are mostly allocated to a fixed point in time, defined as the end of the generating process and the start of the idea assessment. This static approach does not fit the reality in industrial idea processes. A dynamic approach for idea assessment is therefore introduced. An idea is not seen as a static but as a dynamic state, characterized by different degrees of maturity. Maturity is understood as a measure of the assessability of the individual evaluation characteristics.Based on Crosby’s maturity model and classical capability maturity models, a new idea maturity model (IMM) has been developed and is introduced for the first time. The five idea maturity levels (IML) are named Initial, Awareness, Appraisability, Valuation and Realizability and harmonize well with other maturity models. The levels are described by general characteristics, although the development of the maturity model focussed on new product or service development. The compatibility of the IMM with idea assessment processes and conditions in organizations and companies has been checked.