5. Open innovation at different stages of the innovation process

Open innovation should be seen as an approach that can be applied at different stages of the innovation process, not just at the start. Firstly, the strategic stage, which involves managing a portfolio of project ideas by exploring them, evaluating them and deciding which ones to launch an innovation project on. Then, at the operational stage, i.e. during the course of the innovation project, during which open innovation is applied at the project formulation stage, at the feasibility stage, at the product development stage and finally at the launch stage. Exchanges with the innovation ecosystem must be continuous throughout this process.