The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO Technical Committee (TC) 279, Innovation Management, is pleased to announce the approval of a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) for the development of a guidance standard on Innovation Ecosystem Management.
The newly approved work item, ISO 56012, Innovation Ecosystem Management: Guidance, aims to provide organizations with clear methodologies to establish, manage, and improve innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems—encompassing businesses, startups, academia, government, and other stakeholders—facilitate co-creation and scalable innovations across various industries and regions.
Innovation Ecosystem Management
Innovation ecosystems are critical to fostering cross-industry collaboration and assuring that organizations effectively leverage external knowledge and partnerships.
“Innovation is no longer confined within the boundaries of a single firm,” said Dr. Annika Steiber, project leader of ISO 56012, executive director of the RenDanHeYi Silicon Valley Research Center of Haier Group, and CEO of Management Insights LLC.
However, many organizations struggle with governance structures, strategic alignment, and performance measurement. This new standard will address these challenges by providing:
With contributions from experts across multiple industries, the standard will align with the ISO 56000 family of innovation management standards and help organizations navigate the complexities of ecosystem-based innovation. This effort reflects the increasing importance of structured frameworks to foster collaboration, drive technological advancement, and enhance economic growth.
A Global Collaboration
The proposal was developed through extensive collaboration among international experts and industry leaders, reflecting broad global support. Contributions from 58 participating countries underscore the widespread recognition of the need for standardized guidance in innovation ecosystem management.
The Role of the U.S. TAG in Advancing Innovation Standards
The ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG to ISO TC 279, administered by ANSI, plays a vital role in representing U.S. interests in international innovation management standardization efforts. The development of this standard aligns with ongoing initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. organizations through globally recognized best practices.
"By supporting this international effort, we can help assure that U.S. organizations have access to frameworks that enhance collaboration and strategic alignment within innovation ecosystems,” said Rick Fernandez, chairman of the U.S. TAG to TC 279. “This initiative will help businesses maximize value creation, improve interoperability, and drive sustainable innovation. Unlike static frameworks, ISO 56012 will serve as a principle and element-based guidance standard that empowers global organizations to evolve and adapt through co-creation between organizations in ecosystems.”
Next Steps and How to Get Involved
The development process will begin with a working group meeting on March 28, 2025, with a targeted publication date in 2028. Organizations interested in contributing to the standard’s development are encouraged to engage through the U.S. TAG to ISO TC 279; contact Jason Knopes ([email protected]) for more information or to participate.
