The role of process formalisation in the early phases of the innovation process

This paper presents the results of an empirical study examining the role of process formalization in the early phases of the innovation process - the so-called fuzzy front-end (FFE). First the pros and cons as well as the possible elements of a standardized front-end process will be discussed. Second success measures for the front-end will be developed as well as the hypothetical relation between front-end process and success. This conceptual model has been tested in an empirical study which supports the hypothesis that a clearly structured process promotes front-end success.