Sommersemester 2011 

Executive Summary  

On the basis of a deep analysis of strengths and pain points of the current management of the Fuzzy Front-End (FFE) of innovations at A1, this project provides a recommendation on how to optimize the structure of the FFE management for a more successful idea selection, evaluation and new product development.

Background, Problem, Goal: 

“If Siemens only knew, what Siemens knows.” – Comprehensive knowledge management is one of the most challenging tasks in a multinational company like Siemens consisting of 405,000 employees dispersed globally and organized in numerous departments and subdivisions.

There is no doubt that an efficient tool to exploit these synergies would significantly support and facilitate innovative activities.

As early as 1998 an intranet platform called TechnoWeb was designed to do precisely that – facilitate networking and problem-solving. After the emergence of Web2.0 it was re-launched as TechnoWeb2.0. Very much like a company version of “Facebook”, this platform allows its 11,000 users to create profiles, set-up and participate in networks and finally contact experts via urgent requests.

When the project partner approached the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation they had observed that while there were certain activities that already worked well on the platform there was little innovative activity taking place at the TechnoWeb. Consequently they were looking to lift this platform to the next level by putting in place an environment that would also foster innovation.

Thus a cross-functional team of three master and bachelor students was assembled in order to develop a specific concept to foster idea generation on “TechnoWeb2.0”. 

Methodology 

As a basis this team studied pertinent literature in order to identify general success factors of such platforms. With this knowledge an in-depth analysis of the actual platform, TechnoWeb2.0” was conducted in the course of which 22 semi-structured interviews with users were held. 5 major barriers to innovation were identified. With this knowledge in mind the team looked at other innovation initiatives, like Idea Contests and Innovation Jams, within Siemens to get a sense on how these challenges were tackled there. In a third step 5 interviews were conducted with software suppliers who provide companies with state-of-the art software solutions. Finally the team interviewed 7 companies using the offered software
solutions placing special emphasis on how the Siemens specific challenges were tackled.
Drawing from these four sources a threephased recommendation was designed which will enable Siemens to unleash the vast potential on TechnoWeb2.0. 

Findings & Analysis 

During the conversations with users, moderators, innovation managers, etc. the following five challenges were identified:

• Lack of perceived benefit

  
  Users often do not see a direct benefit of contributing to the platform.

• Lack of management support

  
  Management has not yet put emphasis in communication that usage is desired.

• Internal competition for resources
  

  A fierce internal marketplace often prevents co-operation and free-revealing.

• Trade-Off between openness and focus
  

  The open nature of the platform hinders focused discussions to occur.

• Cultural setting
  

  Siemens employees are often not used to engaging online using communication facilities such as posting and commenting. 

Recommendation 

After thorough analysis the following threephased approach was designed.

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In a first phase key functionalities like the search function of TechnoWeb2.0 will be improved. This is to immediately increase perceived benefit for all users. These improvements can be implemented for the entire “TechnoWeb2.0” community. 

In a second phase certain innovation addons are introduced in order to tackle the challenges. These include: 

• Closed rooms and layers of confidence

  
  The ability to create private communities and control the information available to the individual members.

• Structured Feedback

  
  A more structured way to give and receive
  feedback on ideas by including experts.

• Direct Communication tools
  

  The ability to directly chat, call or have a video conference with the members of a network.

• Sponsors and Moderators
  

  Management lending their name to certain networks to boost their legitimacy as well as appointed moderators to lead the discussions.

• Teaming function
  Ability to better identify and contact experts of unrelated fields of expertise through TechnoWeb2.0 

Users confronted with the concept, knowledge gained from literature research as well as the analysis of well-functioning platforms in other companies all indicate the necessity and importance of the above factors. The described add-ons will first be tested in a pilot phase open only to selected users. This way costs can be limited and the functionalities can be efficiently tailored to the user community.  

In a final and third phase the improved and enriched platform is promoted. Through word-of-mouth recommendation a bandwagon effect will kick in, thus increasing participation, activity and eventually innovation on the platform.  

In order to assure the highest possible degree of satisfaction of all stakeholders a continuous stakeholder dialogue will accompany the three phases.

Cooperation Partner 

• Siemens AG Österreich
  Siemens Chief Technology Office
  Open Innovation

• Contact Person
  Fabrizio De Pasquale
  Tel: +43(0)5170722969
  E-Mail: fabrizio.de-pasquale@siemens.com

Student Team

• Fani Christofi
  Johannes Greller
  Selene Horner
  Nino Mori
  Isaac Newton Acqua
  Pablo Piñero