Framework for the Implementation of Continuous Innovation for Technical Products

In order to face current challenges of dynamic market environments, customer-specific requirements and shorter development cycles, manufacturing companies need to focus on new innovation approaches like continuous innovation (CI). Thereby, the approach CI focuses on the ability of a company to continuously improve or renew products or features during the product usage phase. Although, manufacturing companies are aware of the opportunities to ensure their own competitiveness through CI, the implementation is not successful. In particular, there is a lack of a process model that illustrates the relevant aspects in the dimensions business models, processes and products, which are required for the realization of continuous innovations. This paper attempts to close this gap by introducing a framework for the implementation of CI for technical products in the usage phase. The framework consists of 12 process steps and respective implementation activities in order to realize CI. Furthermore, influencing factors on the implementation process are identified and enable the transformation of the generic framework into a company specific implementation guide. Thus, the framework supports manufacturing companies in the operative realization and implementation of continuous innovation.