Idea qualification

Interesting ideas are investigated during an idea qualification stage, in which three tests are performed:

• Appeal test (who does the idea appeal to and to what degree?) 
• Delivery test (how can we deliver?) 
• Commercial test (what is the financial potential, risk profile etc?) 

The tests shall examine the idea’s potential and whether there is any point in pursuing the idea. Idea qualification is essentially limited both in terms of time and resources. The purpose of this is to enable progress and ensure that decisions can be taken on an appropriately dimensioned investigation basis. If the tests reveal an idea to be of interest, an outline of the best way to further develop the idea must be established.

Tools
The Innovation Department uses both general and specifically adapted tools consisting of templates and checklists to explore ideas. We also regularly run an in-house course on idea qualification.

Roles
The Innovation Department plays a key role in coordinating the evaluation of ideas and maintains an overview of innovation initiatives in the organisation. The idea originator will often be involved in the actual idea qualification process, however this is not a formal requirement. The Innovation Department can provide project managers or project employees to assist in the idea qualification process. We also collaborate with internal departments, alliance companies and/or engage external parties to perform such work. 

Financing 
Separate funds are earmarked for the idea qualification process. 

Who decides? 
The Innovation Department’s management team decides whether an idea shall be further developed. If the idea is to be pursued at Statkraft, this takes place in the line organisation, where full access to the requisite skills is available. 

If an idea cannot be further developed by Statkraft, we will nonetheless be able to help ensure that the idea is further processed in other environments.