Introduction to the ISO 56000 Family of Standards

The ISO 56000 series is an internationally recognized set of standards designed to guide organizations in developing, implementing, and improving their innovation management systems (IMS). These standards ensure that innovation is structured, measurable, and aligned with business strategy.

Innovation is no longer just about breakthrough ideas—it is about systematic execution. The ISO 56000 seriesprovides a framework for embedding innovation into an organization’s DNA, ensuring long-term sustainability and competitive advantage.

This FAQ covers each component of the ISO 56000 series, including ISO 56002 (guidance standard), ISO 56001 (certifiable standard), and supporting frameworks like ISO 56005, 56006, and 56008.

Overview of the ISO 56000 Series

Q: What is the ISO 56000 series?

A: The ISO 56000 series is a family of international standards focused on innovation management, providing organizations with best practices, frameworks, and tools to develop a structured approach to innovation.

These standards cover everything from terminology and guidance to risk management, intellectual property, and certification requirements.

Q: What are the different ISO 56000 standards?

Standard	Focus Area	Description
ISO 56000	Terminology & Fundamentals	Defines key terms, concepts, and principles in innovation management.
ISO 56001	Certifiable Standard	A formal standard for certification in innovation management.
ISO 56002	Guidance Standard	Provides best practices for setting up an Innovation Management System (IMS).
ISO 56003	Innovation Partnerships	Guidelines for collaboration and joint innovation initiatives.
ISO 56004	Innovation Assessment	How to evaluate and assess innovation capabilities in an organization.
ISO 56005	Intellectual Property (IP) Management	How to manage and protect innovation-related IP assets.
ISO 56006	Strategic Intelligence	Guidelines for gathering, analyzing, and using strategic intelligence to drive innovation.
ISO 56007	Opportunity Identification	Best practices for identifying, selecting, and developing innovation opportunities.
ISO 56008	Innovation Performance Measurement	How to measure, track, and report innovation performance effectively.
ISO 56009	Sustainable Innovation	Guidance on embedding long-term sustainable innovation managementinto an organization.

ISO 56002 – The Innovation Management Framework

Q: What is ISO 56002?

A: ISO 56002 is the core guidance standard for setting up an Innovation Management System (IMS). It helps organizations:

✔ Develop a structured approach to innovation.

✔ Align innovation strategy with business goals.

✔ Manage risk and uncertainty in innovation.

✔ Foster an innovation-driven culture.

Q: What are the 8 principles of ISO 56002?

A: ISO 56002 is based on eight key principles that ensure effective innovation management:

Realization of Value – Ensures innovation leads to tangible business value.

Future-Focused Leaders – Leadership must drive long-term innovation.

Strategic Direction – Innovation should align with an organization’s overall strategy.

Supportive Culture – Organizations must foster a culture that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and creativity.

Exploiting Insights – Organizations must gather market intelligence, customer insights, and technology trends to drive innovation.

Managing Uncertainty – Innovation involves risks; companies must manage uncertainty through structured processes.

Adaptability – Organizations must be flexible and responsive to change.

Systematic Approach – Innovation should follow a structured, repeatable, and scalable process.

Q: How does ISO 56002 help organizations?

A: ISO 56002 provides organizations with a structured methodology to:

✔ Establish an innovation governance model.

✔ Define clear roles and responsibilities for innovation.

✔ Set up processes for idea generation, validation, and execution.

✔ Implement innovation KPIs and performance tracking mechanisms.

Q: Is ISO 56002 a certifiable standard?

A: No, ISO 56002 is a guidance standard. While organizations can follow ISO 56002 best practices, they cannot get officially certified under ISO 56002.

ISO 56001 – The New Certifiable Standard

Q: What is ISO 56001?

A: ISO 56001 is a new certifiable standard (launched in 2024) that enables organizations to obtain formal certification in innovation management.

Q: What are the key requirements of ISO 56001?

A: To achieve ISO 56001 certification, organizations must:

✔ Establish a formalized innovation management system (IMS).

✔ Demonstrate leadership commitment to innovation.

✔ Show evidence of structured innovation processes.

✔ Implement continuous improvement mechanisms.

✔ Provide measurable innovation outcomes.

Q: Can any organization apply for ISO 56001 certification?

A: Yes, organizations of all sizes and industries can apply for ISO 56001 certification if they can demonstrate compliance with the standard’s requirements.

Q: How does ISO 56001 certification work?

Step 1: Conduct an internal assessment to identify gaps.
Step 2: Implement the necessary innovation governance, processes, and controls.
Step 3: Engage an ISO-accredited certification body for the audit process.
Step 4: If compliant, the organization receives ISO 56001 certification.

Q: Can organizations get both ISO 56001 and ISO 9001 certifications?

A: Yes! Many companies integrate ISO 56001 (Innovation Management) with ISO 9001 (Quality Management) to ensure a holistic business strategy.