The Use of an Idea Bank in Developing Business Operations

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop an operating model for the purpose of utilising an idea bank in the development of business operations. The study was carried out as a constructive interview survey. The study examines the development proposal activity in a company and the operating model which is created in this study includes a harmonised electronic recording system for development proposals. The study clarifies the existing models and procedures related to the employees’ idea and suggestion schemes and continuous improvement. The idea bank model includes a description of the requirements set by development proposal activity to the model itself and the incorporated management system. The objectives of the idea bank model are to maintain the processes needed for the development proposal activity, and to be a tool towards harmonising and organising development proposal activities. The idea bank model can be used to record different kinds of development proposals into a common operating model and system. The operating model consists of making a development proposal, handling and processing it, the implementation, reward, recording and retrieving of data related to the proposal and follow-up. The idea bank model may facilitate the employees’ participation in development and innovation activities, as well as sharing knowledge and operating methods. The model allows development activities to be directed according to the company's needs, as well as the monitoring and analysis of operations. In addition, it enables the employees’ know-how to be recorded in order to create a resource of data for the organisation.