SIST EN ISO 56000:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2025
Upravljanje inovacij - Osnove in slovar (ISO 56000:2025)
Innovation management - Fundamentals and vocabulary (ISO 56000:2025)
Innovationsmanagement - Grundlagen und Begriffe (ISO 56000:2025)
Management de l’innovation - Principes essentiels et vocabulaire (ISO 56000:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 56000:2025
ICS:
01.040.03 Storitve. Organizacija Services. Company
podjetja, vodenje in kakovost. organization, management
Uprava. Transport. and quality. Administration.
Sociologija. (Slovarji) Transport. Sociology.
(Vocabularies)
03.100.40 Raziskave in razvoj Research and development
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 56000
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
January 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 01.040.03; 03.100.01; 03.100.40 Supersedes EN ISO 56000:2021
English Version
Innovation management - Fundamentals and vocabulary
(ISO 56000:2025)
Management de l'innovation - Principes essentiels et Innovationsmanagement- Grundlagen und Begriffe
vocabulaire (ISO 56000:2025) (ISO 56000:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 January 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 56000:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 56000:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 279
"Innovation management" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 389 “Innovation
Management” the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by July 2025, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by July 2025.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 56000:2021.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 56000:2025 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 56000:2025 without any modification.

International
Standard
ISO 56000
Second edition
Innovation management —
2025-01
Fundamentals and vocabulary
Management de l’innovation — Principes essentiels et
vocabulaire
Reference number
ISO 56000:2025(en) © ISO 2025
ISO 56000:2025(en)
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 56000:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Terms related to innovation .1
3.2 Terms related to organization .4
3.3 Terms related to objective.7
3.4 Terms related to knowledge .8
3.5 Terms related to intellectual property .9
3.6 Terms related to innovation initiative.10
3.7 Terms related to performance . 12
3.8 Terms related to assessment . 13
4 Fundamental concepts and innovation management principles . 14
4.1 General .14
4.1.1 Rationale for engaging in innovation activities .14
4.1.2 Innovation activities within and across organizations . 15
4.1.3 Impact of innovations . 15
4.2 Fundamental concepts .16
4.2.1 Innovation .16
4.2.2 Attributes of innovation .16
4.2.3 Concepts related to innovation .17
4.2.4 Activities and processes to achieve innovation .18
4.2.5 Innovation management .19
4.2.6 Innovation management system .19
4.2.7 Relationship with other management systems . 20
4.3 Innovation management principles .21
4.3.1 General .21
4.3.2 Realization of value .21
4.3.3 Future-focused leaders . 22
4.3.4 Strategic direction . 22
4.3.5 Culture . 23
4.3.6 Exploiting insights .24
4.3.7 Managing uncertainty . 25
4.3.8 Adaptability . 26
4.3.9 Systems approach .27
Annex A (informative) Relationship to the vocabulary of other organizations .28
Bibliography .30
Index .31

iii
ISO 56000:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 279, Innovation management, in collaboration
with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 389, Innovation
Management, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna
Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 56000:2020), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— new definitions have been added;
— Annex A has been deleted, and Annex B has been renamed as Annex A;
— alignment with ISO 56001.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO 56000:2025(en)
Introduction
0.1  General
The ability of organizations to innovate is recognized as a critical factor for their viability, competitiveness,
resilience and renewal, and for the sustainable development of society.
The innovation capabilities of an organization include the ability to understand and respond to changing
conditions of its context, to pursue new opportunities and to leverage the knowledge and creativity of
people within the organization and in collaboration with external interested parties.
This document is intended to help the user by establishing a coherent, consistent and common framework to:
a) understand the main terms, definitions, concepts and principles of innovation management;
b) support an organization to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve an innovation
management system;
c) support an organization to utilize other innovation management standards;
d) facilitate communication and create awareness of innovation activities internally and across
organizations.
It can be used by:
— organizations establishing and using an innovation management system or performing innovation
management assessments;
— organizations that need to improve their ability to effectively manage innovation activities;
— users, customers and other relevant interested parties seeking confidence in the innovation capabilities
of an organization;
— organizations and interested parties seeking to improve communication through a common
understanding of the vocabulary used in innovation management;
— providers of education and training in the assessment of or consultancy for innovation management and
innovation management systems;
— developers of innovation management and related standards.
Clause 3 specifies the terms and definitions that are necessary to understand innovation management and
an innovation management system.
Clause 4 provides the fundamental concepts and innovation management principles, describing why
organizations should engage in innovation activities, the main concepts regarding innovation and the
principles that an organization should consider as the basis for the effective management of innovation
activities as well as the foundation of the innovation management system.
Annex A presents the relationship between the definitions within this document and those provided by
other policy-setting organizations.
0.2  Relationships with other standards on innovation management
This document relates to standards on innovation management developed by ISO/TC 279, as follows:
a) ISO 56001 provides requirements for organizations to establish, implement, maintain and continually
improve an innovation management system.
b) ISO 56002 gives guidance on how to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve an
innovation management system with a focus on established organizations.

v
ISO 56000:2025(en)
c) ISO 56003 gives guidance on how to plan, prepare and engage for external innovation partnerships at
the level of a project, programme or initiative.
d) ISO/TR 56004 gives guidance on how to choose, prepare, conduct, measure and improve an innovation
management assessment. It does not directly apply to the management system approach in this
document.
e) ISO 56005 gives guidance on how to manage intellectual property throughout the innovation processes
and the development of an innovation initiative.
f) ISO 56006 gives guidance on how to set up and support the strategic intelligence activities of continuous
monitoring, intelligence dissemination and document control.
g) ISO 56007 gives guidance on how to systematically manage opportunities and ideas to realize value
from innovation activities and arrive at decisions for development.
h) ISO 56008 gives guidance on how to develop, define, implement, evaluate and improve the measurements
needed to effectively manage individual innovation initiatives.
i) ISO/TS 56010 provides an understanding of the most essential concepts in innovation management. It
is intended to be used as an introduction to the standards on innovation management developed by
ISO/TC 279.
vi
International Standard ISO 56000:2025(en)
Innovation management — Fundamentals and vocabulary
1 Scope
This document defines terms for and establishes the fundamental concepts and principles of innovation
management.
This document is applicable to:
a) all types of organizations, regardless of type, sector, maturity-level or size;
b) all types of innovations (e.g. product, service, process, model, method);
c) all forms of innovation (e.g. incremental to radical, disruptive);
d) all types of approaches (e.g. internal and open innovation, user-, market-, design- and technology-driven
innovation activities).
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Terms related to innovation
3.1.1
innovation
new or changed entity (3.2.11), realizing or redistributing value (3.7.7)
Note 1 to entry: Novelty and value are relative to, and determined by, the perception of the organization (3.2.2) and
relevant interested parties (3.2.6).
Note 2 to entry: An innovation can be a product, service, process (3.1.5), model, method, etc.
Note 3 to entry: Innovation is an outcome. The word “innovation” sometimes refers to activities or processes resulting
in, or aiming for, innovation. When “innovation” is used in this sense, it should always be used with some form of
qualifier, e.g. “innovation activities”.
[12]
Note 4 to entry: For the purpose of statistical measurement, refer to the Oslo Manual by OECD/Eurostat. See
Clause A.2 for a comparison between the definitions of innovation in this document and OECD/Eurostat.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.6.15, modified — “entity” replaced “object”. Notes 1 and 2 to entry replaced by
new Notes 1 to 4 to entry.]
ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.1.1.1
radical innovation
breakthrough innovation
innovation (3.1.1) with a significant degree of change
Note 1 to entry: Change can relate to the entity (3.2.11) or its impact.
Note 2 to entry: Radical innovation is at the other end of the continuum to incremental innovation.
3.1.1.2
disruptive innovation
innovation (3.1.1) initially addressing less demanding needs, displacing established offerings
Note 1 to entry: Compared to established offerings, disruptive innovations are initially simpler offerings with lower
performance (3.7.1) and they are generally more cost effective, requiring fewer resources and offered at lower cost.
Note 2 to entry: Disruption occurs when a significant ratio of users or customers (3.2.10) have adopted the innovation.
Note 3 to entry: Disruptive innovations can create new markets and value networks by addressing new users and
deploying new business and value realization models.
3.1.2
management
coordinated activities to direct and control an organization (3.2.2)
Note 1 to entry: Management can include establishing policies (3.3.3), strategies (3.3.5) and objectives (3.3.4), as well
as processes (3.1.5) to achieve those objectives.
Note 2 to entry: Control can include defining roles, appointing authority, assigning tasks, establishing incentives and
rewards, and empowering and engaging people.
Note 3 to entry: The word “management” sometimes refers to people, i.e. a person or group of people with authority
and responsibility for the conduct and control of an organization. When “management” is used in this sense, it should
always be used with some form of qualifier, e.g. “top management”.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.3.3, modified — “strategies” added to Note 1 to entry. Note 2 to entry added.
Note 3 to entry simplified.]
3.1.2.1
innovation management
management (3.1.2) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Innovation management can include establishing an innovation policy (3.3.3.1), innovation vision
(3.3.2.1), innovation strategy (3.3.5.1), and innovation objectives (3.3.4.1), and organizational structures and innovation
processes (3.1.5.1) to achieve those objectives (3.3.4) through planning, support, operations, performance (3.7.1)
evaluation (3.8.3) and improvement (3.1.7).
3.1.3
system
set of interrelated or interacting elements
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.5.1]
3.1.3.1
management system
set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization (3.2.2) to establish policies (3.3.3) and objectives
(3.3.4), as well as processes (3.1.5) to achieve those objectives
Note 1 to entry: A management system can address a single discipline or several disciplines.
Note 2 to entry: The management system elements include the organization’s structure, roles and responsibilities,
planning and operation.
ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.1.3.2
innovation system
system (3.1.3) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: An innovation system can be related to a country or nation (e.g. a national innovation system), a region,
an industry sector, an entire or part of an organization (3.2.2), a cluster or network of organizations, a community of
practitioners or any value network or ecosystem of various interested parties (3.2.6).
Note 2 to entry: An innovation system can include an innovation management system (3.1.3.3).
3.1.3.3
innovation management system
management system (3.1.3.1) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: An innovation management system can be part of a general or integrated management system of an
organization (3.2.2).
3.1.3.4
innovation ecosystem
system (3.1.3) of interdependent persons or organizations (3.2.2) collectively or collaboratively developing
or enabling innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Ecosystem participants can include private and public organizations.
Note 2 to entry: The scope of an innovation ecosystem can be defined in terms of a platform, set of technologies,
knowledge (3.4.1) area, set of skills (3.4.4), sector, community or geographic area.
Note 3 to entry: An innovation ecosystem can range from being an arbitrary group of participants to an orchestrated,
multi-party community based on collaborative innovation partnerships (3.6.13).
3.1.4
innovation activity
activity with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Innovation activities can be planned or unplanned and are normally conducted in the context of
uncertainty (3.2.12).
Note 2 to entry: Innovation activities are directly or indirectly aiming for innovation. Not all innovation activities
result in innovation.
3.1.5
process
set of interrelated or interacting activities that uses or transforms inputs to deliver a result
Note 1 to entry: Whether the result of a process is called an output, a product or a service depends on the context of
the reference.
3.1.5.1
innovation process
process (3.1.5) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Innovation processes are generally planned and carried out under controlled conditions to realize
value (3.7.7).
Note 2 to entry: Innovation processes can be configured to suit innovation initiatives (3.6.1).
Note 3 to entry: Innovation processes are designed to manage uncertainty (3.2.12) with innovation as the intended
result. Not all innovation processes result in innovation.
Note 4 to entry: An innovation process consists of several innovation activities (3.1.4). Examples of innovation
processes are identification of opportunities (3.6.3), creation and validation (3.6.9) of concepts (3.6.6), and development
and deployment (3.6.11) of solutions (3.6.10).
Note 5 to entry: Innovation processes can be implemented within an organization (3.2.2) or across organizations in the
case of, for example collaborative innovation, innovation clusters, value networks or innovation ecosystems (3.1.3.4).

ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.1.6
invention
new solution (3.6.10)
Note 1 to entry: An invention should be new in the sense that it has not existed before.
Note 2 to entry: An invention is created and is generally the result of intellectual work.
Note 3 to entry: An invention can be a product, service, process (3.1.5), model, method, etc.
Note 4 to entry: An invention is normally in response to a technical problem.
3.1.6.1
patentable invention
invention (3.1.6) eligible for patent protection under the applicable law
3.1.7
improvement
activity to enhance performance (3.7.1)
Note 1 to entry: The activity can be recurring or singular.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.3.1]
3.1.7.1
continual improvement
recurring activity to enhance performance (3.7.1)
3.2 Terms related to organization
3.2.1
top management
person or group of people who directs and controls an organization (3.2.2) at the highest level
Note 1 to entry: Top management has the power to delegate authority and provide resources within the organization.
Note 2 to entry: If the scope of the management system (3.1.3.1) covers only part of an organization, then top
management refers to those who direct and control that part of the organization.
3.2.2
organization
person or group of people that has its own functions with responsibilities, authorities and relationships to
achieve its objectives (3.3.4)
Note 1 to entry: The concept of organization includes, but is not limited, to sole-trader, company, corporation, firm,
enterprise, authority, partnership, charity or institution, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporated or not,
public or private.
Note 2 to entry: If the organization is part of a larger entity, the term “organization” refers only to the part of the larger
entity that is within the scope of the innovation management system (3.1.3.3).
Note 3 to entry: Organizational functions can include, for example, research and development, human resources,
finance, sales, marketing and operations.
3.2.3
culture
shared pattern of beliefs, values and behaviours of an organization (3.2.2) or community over time
3.2.4
work environment
set of conditions under which work is performed
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.5.5, modified — Note 1 to entry deleted.]

ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.2.5
context of the organization
business environment
organizational environment
ecosystem of an organization
combination of internal and external issues that can have an effect on an organization’s (3.2.2) approach to
developing and achieving its objectives (3.3.4)
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.2.2, modified —Notes to entry deleted. Admitted terms added.]
3.2.6
interested party
stakeholder
person or organization (3.2.2) that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision or
activity
Note 1 to entry: Interested parties can include, for example, users, customers (3.2.10), suppliers, partners, innovation
ecosystems (3.1.3.4), funding organizations, investors, universities and public authorities.
3.2.7
innovator
person who engages in innovation activities (3.1.4)
Note 1 to entry: An innovator can be an entrepreneur (3.2.8) or an intrapreneur (3.2.9), or both.
3.2.8
entrepreneur
innovator (3.2.7) that assumes risks (3.2.13) and gains benefits from pursuing new opportunities (3.6.3)
Note 1 to entry: An entrepreneur can assume all or part of the risks and gain all or part of the benefits.
3.2.9
intrapreneur
innovator (3.2.7) within an organization (3.2.2)
Note 1 to entry: An intrapreneur can be limited by the organization but also benefit from its resources and risk-
willingness.
3.2.10
customer
person or organization (3.2.2) that can or does buy or acquire a product or service that is intended for or
required by this person or organization or another user
Note 1 to entry: A customer can be internal or external to the organization.
Note 2 to entry: A customer can be different from the user who interacts with a product or service.
Note 3 to entry: A customer can be a client, end-user, retailer, beneficiary or purchaser.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.2.4, modified — “buy or acquire” replaced “receive” and “or another user” added
in the definition. Example deleted. Notes 2 and 3 to entry added.]
3.2.11
entity
anything perceivable or conceivable
EXAMPLE Product, service, process (3.1.5), model (e.g. an organizational, business, operational or value
realization model), method (e.g. a marketing or management method) or a combination thereof.
Note 1 to entry: Entities can be material (e.g. an engine), immaterial (e.g. a project plan) or imagined (e.g. the future
state of the organization).
ISO 56000:2025(en)
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.6.1, modified — “entity” replaced “object” as the preferred term. Examples
modified. “immaterial” replaced by “non-material” in Note 1 to entry.]
3.2.12
uncertainty
state of deficiency of information, understanding, or knowledge (3.4.1)
Note 1 to entry: Uncertainty can be related to the consequences or likelihood of an event, or the characteristics of an
entity (3.2.11).
Note 2 to entry: Uncertainties can be managed by systematically addressing assumptions regarding the consequences,
likelihood or characteristics of events and entities, to gain information, understanding and knowledge.
3.2.13
risk
effect of uncertainty (3.2.12)
Note 1 to entry: An effect is a deviation (3.8.10) from the expected — positive or negative.
Note 2 to entry: Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information related to, understanding or
knowledge (3.4.1) of, an event, its consequence, or likelihood.
Note 3 to entry: Risk is often characterized by reference to potential events and consequences, or a combination of these.
Note 4 to entry: Risk is often expressed in terms of a combination of the consequences of an event (including changes
in circumstances) and the associated likelihood of occurrence.
3.2.14
antifragile
ability to gain from stressors, uncertainty (3.2.12) and risk (3.2.13)
Note 1 to entry: Stressors can be shocks, failures, disruptions, emergencies, crises, etc.
Note 2 to entry: An antifragile entity (3.2.11) can thrive and/or evolve from unexpected stressors, take advantage of
uncertainty and positively assume risk.
3.2.15
outsource
make an arrangement where an external organization (3.2.2) performs part of an organization’s function or
process (3.1.5)
Note 1 to entry: An external organization is outside the scope of the management system (3.1.3.1), although the
outsourced function or process is within the scope.
3.2.16
documented information
information required to be controlled and maintained by an organization (3.2.2) and the medium on which
it is contained
Note 1 to entry: Documented information can be in any format and media and from any source.
Note 2 to entry: Documented information can refer to:
— the management system (3.1.3.1), including related processes (3.1.5);
— information created in order for the organization to operate (documentation);
— evidence of results achieved (records).

ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.3 Terms related to objective
3.3.1
innovation intent
declared aspiration with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
EXAMPLE Digital transformation, organizational renewal, sustainable operations, healthy work environment,
circular material flows, attractive brand.
Note 1 to entry: An innovation intent provides the purpose and rationale for establishing an innovation management
system (3.1.3.3) and engaging in innovation activities (3.1.4).
Note 2 to entry: An organization (3.2.2) can have multiple innovation intents at strategic, tactical and operational levels.
Note 3 to entry: A strategic innovation intent is the basis for establishing an innovation strategy (3.3.5.1).
Note 4 to entry: An operational innovation intent provides input to one or more innovation initiatives (3.6.1).
3.3.2
vision
aspiration of what an organization (3.2.2) would like to become or achieve as expressed typically by top
management (3.2.1)
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.5.10, modified — “or achieve” and “typically” added to the definition.]
3.3.2.1
innovation vision
vision (3.3.2) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Generally, the innovation vision is consistent with the overall vision of the organization (3.2.2) and
provides a framework for setting of innovation policy (3.3.3.1), innovation strategy (3.3.5.1), and innovation objectives
(3.3.4.1).
3.3.3
policy
intentions and direction of an organization (3.2.2), as formally expressed by its top management (3.2.1)
3.3.3.1
innovation policy
policy (3.3.3) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Generally, the innovation policy is consistent with the overall policy of the organization (3.2.2), can be
aligned with the innovation vision (3.3.2.1), and provides a framework for setting the innovation strategy (3.3.5.1) and
innovation objectives (3.3.4.1).
3.3.4
objective
result to be achieved
Note 1 to entry: An objective can be strategic, tactical, or operational.
Note 2 to entry: Objectives can relate to different disciplines (such as finance, health and safety, and environment).
They can be, for example, organization-wide or specific to a project, product or process (3.1.5)).
Note 3 to entry: An objective can be expressed in other ways, e.g. as an intended result, as a purpose, as an operational
criterion, as an innovation objective (3.3.4.1) or by the use of other words with similar meaning (e.g. aim, goal, or
target).
Note 4 to entry: In the context of innovation management systems (3.1.3.3), innovation objectives are set by the
organization (3.2.2), consistent with the innovation policy (3.3.3.1), to achieve specific results.

ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.3.4.1
innovation objective
objective (3.3.4) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Generally, innovation objectives are consistent with the innovation policy (3.3.3.1) and the innovation
strategy (3.3.5.1) of the organization (3.2.2).
Note 2 to entry: Innovation objectives are generally specified for relevant functions, levels, initiatives and processes
(3.1.5) in the organization.
3.3.5
strategy
plan to achieve objectives (3.3.4)
Note 1 to entry: A strategy generally includes a coordinated set of activities and the allocation of resources necessary
to achieve objectives.
Note 2 to entry: A strategy can be applied at different levels and functions in or across organizations (3.2.2). An overall
strategy can be supported by a set of more detailed lower-level and functional strategies.
Note 3 to entry: A strategy is generally planned but can evolve or emerge over time as a result of continual adaptations
and adjustments.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.5.12, modified — “long-term or overall” deleted in the term. Notes 1 to 3 to
entry added.]
3.3.5.1
innovation strategy
strategy (3.3.5) with regard to innovation (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Generally, the innovation strategy is compatible with the overall strategy and strategic direction of
the organization (3.2.2), is based on the innovation intent (3.3.1) and aligned with the innovation policy (3.3.3.1) and
innovation vision (3.3.2.1), and can provide a framework for setting of innovation objectives (3.3.4.1).
Note 2 to entry: An innovation strategy generally defines the rationale for engaging in innovation activities (3.1.4)
and innovation initiatives (3.6.1) and how those activities are expected to realize value (3.7.7) for the organization and
relevant interested parties (3.2.6).
Note 3 to entry: An innovation strategy can include the choices made in terms of focus areas, types of innovations
to be focused on, who will be involved in terms of interested parties, what will be required in terms of resources,
structures and processes (3.1.5), who will be responsible, when it will be completed, and how results will be monitored
(3.8.1), measured (3.8.2), evaluated (3.8.3), protected, communicated and documented, etc.
3.4 Terms related to knowledge
3.4.1
knowledge
result of the assimilation of information through learning
Note 1 to entry: Knowledge can be acquired through, for example, research, experience, education and user feedback.
Note 2 to entry: Knowledge includes information, facts, principles, theories and practices that is related to a field of
work or study.
Note 3 to entry: Knowledge can be individual or collective. Collective knowledge is gained from people collaborating
and releasing their tacit and subconscious knowledge.
3.4.2
competence
competency
ability to apply knowledge (3.4.1) and skills (3.4.4) to achieve intended results

ISO 56000:2025(en)
3.4.3
insight
profound and unique knowledge (3.4.1) about an entity (3.2.11)
Note 1 to entry: In the context of innovation activities (3.1.4), insights can reveal opportunities (3.6.3) for the realization
of value (3.7.7).
Note 2 to entry: Identifying insights is generally part of the innovation processes (3.1.5.1).
3.4.4
skill
ability to perform a task or activity
Note 1 to entry: Skills can be acquired through education, training (3.4.5), experience or other means.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TS 17027:2014, 2.74, modified — The end of the definition moved to a note to entry.]
3.4.5
training
programme to provide persons with the necessary knowledge (3.4.1) and skills (3.4.4)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TS 17027:2014, 2.77, modified — “developed” deleted in the definition.]
3.5 Terms related to intellectual property
3.5.1
intellectual asset
intangible creation or knowledge (3.4.1) resource which has value (3.7.7)
3.5.2
intellectual property
result of intellectual activities that is eligible for protection by law
Note 1 to entry: Intellectual property can include inventions (3.1.6), scientific discoveries, literary, scientific or artistic
works, trade secrets, symbols, designs, names and images used in commerce, industrial designs, performances,
recordings, broadcasts, and other creative and industrial works.
Note 2 to entry: “Protection by law” refers to areas of law considered to be intellectual property rights (3.5.3).
Note 3 to entry: See Clause A.3 for a comparison between the definitions related to intellectual property in this
document and the TRIPS/WIPO Convention.
3.5.3
intellectual property rights
legal rights associated with intellectual property (3.5.2)
Note 1 to entry: Intellectual property rights include copyright and related rights, trademarks, geographical indications,
industrial design rights, patents, layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits and protection of undisclosed
information.
Note 2 to entry: See Clause A.3 for a comparison between the definitions related to intellectual property in this
document and the TRIPS/WIPO Convention.
3.5.4
intellectual property management
management (3.1.2) with regard to intellectual property (3.5.2)
Note 1 to entry: Intellectual property management can support innovation activities (3.1.4) and innovation processes
(3.1.5.1) in an innovation management system (3.1.3.3) or an innovation ecosystem (3.1.3.4).
Note 2 to entry: Intellectual property management can include establishing an in
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