Duration: October 2014 – September 2017
ID: PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0341
Status: Completed
Domain: Innovation Management Systems, SME Development
A comprehensive web-based information system for integrated innovation management in SMEs, featuring dual-perspective evaluation (top-down and project-based), knowledge management through ontologies, and an innovative toolbox for creative problem-solving. The system enables systematic assessment, planning, and improvement of innovation capabilities across all business processes.
Project Overview
Leading businesses towards sustainable development represents the highest challenge for SMEs in today’s dynamic and unpredictable market environment. Small and medium enterprises operate in contexts characterized by high-frequency crisis points, high-intensity conflicts, complex problems, and severe resource constraints. To survive and grow, SMEs must continuously innovate across all key segments of their business systems.
However, most SMEs lack formalized standards and structured approaches for managing innovation systematically. Innovation often remains the domain of specialists rather than becoming an accessible, everyday practice for all employees. The innDrive project addressed this critical gap by developing a comprehensive information system that brings together all perspectives and areas describing innovation under a single integrated platform.
The system provides SMEs with consistent models, procedures, specialized tools for innovation, roadmaps, expert modules for creative problem-solving, and knowledge management capabilities. Through ontology-based search engines operating across structured and unstructured databases, the platform guides companies toward mature solutions for various crisis points across all business processes, fostering a culture of continuous innovation and increasing organizational agility.
Partners & Acknowledgments
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Mircea Fulea
Bogdan Mocan
Stelian Brad
Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest
Prof. Marieta Olaru
Mihaela Maftei
ARXIA SRL Cluj-Napoca
Daniel Homorodean
Diana Precup
RoMarketing SRL Oradea
Sorina Bradea
This work was supported by a grant from the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0341, within the framework of Partnerships in Priority Domains Programme PCCA 2013.
Project Objectives
Main Objective: To develop a novel information system based on a multi-layer innovation model for SMEs, providing comprehensive support for implementing multi-dimensional innovation management systems across all key business processes.
- Develop an innovation management standard and integrated software system (innExpert) – Originally planned to create a standard for innovation management suited to Romanian economic needs. Following the emergence of CEN/TS 16555 standard in 2015, the objective was reconsidered to develop a unique dual-perspective evaluation approach: combining top-down (managerial) and project-based (bottom-up from employees directly involved in innovation) assessments of innovation management performance.
- Create an ontology-based knowledge center (innKnow) – To provide a comprehensive guidance package of methods, methodologies, models, procedures, case studies and rules in a software-based knowledge center, managing all platform information through ontology-driven architecture and providing context-sensitive help for evaluation questionnaires.
- Develop an extensive software toolbox for creative problem-solving (innPath) – To create and integrate a consistent set of innovation tools including requirements management, performance characteristics management, functionality management, modular structure management, AHP prioritization, QFD quality planning, TRIZ contradiction matrix, and cause-effect diagrams.
Results & Outcomes
Major Achievements
The innDrive project successfully implemented a comprehensive web-based platform featuring three main components: innExpert (evaluation system), innKnow (knowledge center), and innPath (innovation toolbox). The system introduced a paradigm shift in innovation management assessment through its unique dual-perspective evaluation approach, simultaneously capturing management’s strategic view and employees’ practical experience.
The platform includes complete evaluation questionnaires for both top-down assessment (covering decision systems, working conditions, leadership, risk acceptance, idea management, collaboration, open innovation, and innovation management system evaluation) and project-based assessment (covering introductory evaluation, technology perspective, market perspective, business model perspective, and technological process perspective).
System Features
- Multi-role user system: Key Account Managers (KAM), Project Managers, and Evaluators with granular permissions and workflow management
- Automated reporting: Generation of comprehensive PDF reports with CoachCom2021 graphics, radar charts across four dimensions (technology, market, business model, process), and conformity scores against three models (CoachCOM2020, innDrive, CEN/TS 16555)
- Action planning module: Structured follow-up system for identified issues with assignable tasks, document uploads, and timeline management
- Innovation toolbox (innPath): Eight integrated tools including requirements management, AHP hierarchy analysis, QFD quality function deployment, TRIZ contradiction matrix, and cause-effect diagrams
- Knowledge base (innKnow): Ontology-based knowledge management with public and private content, contextual help system, and searchable innovation knowledge domain
- Project lifecycle management: Complete workflow from project initiation through evaluation, freezing, coaching, and final reporting with comprehensive history logging
Technical Implementation
The platform was implemented as a web-based application supporting multi-user access with role-based authentication, step-by-step evaluation forms with progress tracking, document upload capabilities (PDF, images, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), automated compliance scoring through six correlation matrices, comparative benchmarking between multiple projects, and comprehensive audit trails of all user activities.
The gallery showcases the platform interface, evaluation methodology, reporting capabilities, and integrated innovation tools.
Publications & Outputs
Technical Documentation
The project produced extensive technical documentation including detailed specifications for the innDrive eXplorer tool (for EASME utilization in Enterprise Europe Network for Key Account Management in H2020 SME Instrument), comprehensive implementation reports for the platform, ontology, and innovation tools, evaluation questionnaires for assessing innovation capacity, correlation matrices linking questionnaire responses to evaluation model directions, and paradigm shift justification documentation.
Software Deliverables
- innExpert Platform: Complete web-based evaluation and reporting system with user management, project workflow, and automated scoring
- innKnow Knowledge Center: Ontology-based knowledge management system with contextual help and searchable innovation resources
- innPath Toolbox: Integrated suite of eight innovation and problem-solving tools including requirements management, AHP, QFD, TRIZ, and cause-effect analysis
- innDrive eXplorer: Standalone tool for use by EASME in European Enterprise Network
Key Features and Capabilities
The system supports three types of evaluation projects (top-down, bottom-up, and innovation tools), multiple user roles with granular permissions, comprehensive project lifecycle management from initiation to final reporting, automated generation of detailed PDF reports with graphical analysis, action planning with task assignment and tracking, benchmarking capabilities for comparing multiple projects, complete audit logging of all activities, and integration of European Commission models (CoachCOM2020) and standards (CEN/TS 16555).
Impact & Future Applications
The innDrive system represents a significant advancement in innovation management for SMEs by providing the first dual-perspective evaluation approach that captures both strategic management vision and practical implementation experience. This unique methodology addresses the common gap between innovation strategy and its actual execution, offering SMEs a more realistic and actionable assessment of their innovation capabilities.
The platform’s comprehensive approach transforms innovation from a specialist-driven activity into an accessible, everyday practice for all employees. By formalizing innovation management through structured questionnaires, automated scoring, and actionable reporting, innDrive makes systematic innovation management accessible to organizations that previously lacked the resources or expertise to implement such systems.
The innDrive eXplorer component was specifically designed for adoption by the European Commission’s Enterprise Europe Network, demonstrating the system’s potential for broader European deployment. The platform’s alignment with emerging European standards (CEN/TS 16555) and established methodologies (CoachCOM2020) positions it as a bridge between academic innovation management theory and practical SME implementation. Future applications include expansion to additional languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian, Polish), integration with other business management systems, and development of sector-specific evaluation templates for different industries and organizational types.
Last updated: January 2025 | Project Duration: 36 months (October 2014 – September 2017)