Innovation Management
Innovation Management is a module in the Global Leader Flex program and can also be taken as a stand-alone program.
Many organizations treat innovation as a series of disconnected initiatives or a function of R&D alone. This approach consistently fails to deliver sustainable value. True innovation is a repeatable, managed process that must be woven into the fabric of the entire organization.
The Innovation Management program provides the frameworks to build systemic innovation capability, moving beyond ideas to focus on practical mechanics. You will learn to design governance structures, manage innovation portfolios, allocate strategic resources, and build cultures that transform concepts into market-ready solutions.
The curriculum is grounded in establishing the processes and leadership mindsets needed to manage the entire innovation lifecycle. You will learn to evaluate and de-risk new ventures, accelerate time-to-market, and integrate both product and business model innovation to maximize value. This program’s distinct value is its focus on the organizational engine of innovation, equipping you to create the structures and strategies that make innovation a reliable driver of competitive advantage.
4.5 ECTS credits can be transferred from the Innovation Management program to the Aalto Executive MBA or Aalto MBA program.
Benefits
Organizations often struggle to translate occasional innovative ideas into consistent, scalable growth. This program addresses this gap by building the essential organizational machinery to make innovation a repeatable process, moving beyond sporadic successes to establish innovation as a measurable driver of business value and market leadership.
For
This program is designed for organizations seeking to move beyond ad-hoc innovation and build systematic, organization-wide capabilities for sustained growth. It is ideally suited to professionals positioned to influence and implement innovation strategies, governance, and cultural change within their organizations.
The curriculum is particularly valuable for:
- R&D and product development leaders tasked with creating more effective innovation pipelines and accelerating time-to-market
- Product managers and innovation specialists responsible for evaluating, selecting, and de-risking new ventures
- General managers and business unit heads aiming to integrate innovation into core business strategy and resource allocation
- HR and organizational development professionals building structures and cultures that enable continuous innovation
Content and Schedule
Innovation Management comprises a self-paced online course, a two-day live online module, a written pre-assignment, and a take-home assignment. The program is worth 4.5 ECTS credits.
Pre-module period of 2–3 weeks
Individual preparation through self-paced online learning and pre-readings and assignment(s)
Two-day live online module
Intensive contact learning session with instructor and peers
Post-module period
Take-home assignment: Action learning project.
This program examines the core components of systematic innovation management, focusing on innovation governance frameworks, portfolio management, and strategic resource allocation. The curriculum covers the entire innovation lifecycle, from ideation to commercialization, including venture evaluation, risk assessment, and creating organizational structures that sustain innovation as a continuous process.
The program employs a hands-on approach through real-world case studies of both successful and failed innovation initiatives. Participants will engage in practical exercises to design innovation governance systems and develop portfolio management strategies. This methodology ensures immediate application of frameworks to your organizational context, building capabilities to manage innovation as a measurable business process rather than relying on sporadic breakthroughs.
Instructor
Program Fee and Registration
Other Global Leader Flex Modules
You can register for individual stand-alone Global Leader Flex modules or take the complete Global Leader Flex program, including all four core modules and two elective modules of your choice.
