#3 Innovation strategy in ISO 56001 audits

More organizations worldwide are now adopting ISO 56001, the first international standard for building and improving innovation management systems (IMS). It provides a structured approach to aligning innovation efforts with strategic goals and sometimes challenging them with bold, alternative futures.

When assessing innovation strategy in an ISO 56001 audit, internal and certification auditors often face tough questions:

• How well is the innovation strategy aligned with (or challenging) the overall organizational strategy?
• Is the organization ready for the disruptions that innovations may bring?
• Are multiple innovation strategies across units coherent and integrated?

To address these challenges, auditors can:

• Engage with senior leadership to understand the innovation intent and how it is reflected in the innovation strategy.
• Assess strategic flexibility by identifying the mechanisms to pivot or adjust the innovation strategy based on results.
• Review integration across functions and levels to ensure multiple innovation strategies form a coherent whole.

Done right, auditors can ensure innovation strategies truly enable organizations to remain focused, relevant, and resilient in a changing world.

Innovation strategy is one of eight critical themes auditors must be aware of and master when auditing ISO 56001.