Chapter 2 - Lesson 2: Clauses 4.2 and 4.3
Clause 4.2 Interested Parties
The standard asks us to determine and monitor internal and external parties both current and potential. For the innovator, interested parties are not just potential customers but also parties from whom we will gain knowledge, technology and skills and those who will help us to deliver. We will usually partner with others and fewer than 5% of innovators work on their own.
Internal interested parties can be employees and subcontractors working on behalf of the organization. There will also be interest in a new offering from statutory and regulatory bodies if the innovation creates risk to people.
The many interested parties all exert different forces. For example, with a new phone, innovators don’t just meet the needs of the end user, they also partner with carriers, app providers, and retailers. They will have different needs which may conflict. A proposed innovation may please one party and displease another.
Clause 4.3 The Scope of the IMS
This clause is one that other management systems may see as routine, but with innovation, the intent and the boundaries of the IMS will evolve. The work in clauses 4.1 and 4.2 will provide us an initial idea of the new offerings and the potential marketplace. It will also provide an initial idea of the partners we are likely to need. As we progress, a regular review of scope will be wise. The scope should be documented and process mapping is a great tool for doing this. Keep the map simple and use the “swim lane” method to show responsibilities.