1. Innovation: two distinct yet complementary activities

The most widespread form of company organization is generally based on a matrix vision, distinguishing between two dimensions: the traditional organization, which divides the business into different specialized departments (technical, marketing, legal, finance, communications, etc.), and the project-based organization, which enables cross-functional projects to be implemented.

In this organizational context, innovation management and innovation engineering intersect, for example when technical departments (R&D, design office, methods office, production, etc.) carry out work as part of a technological innovation project (figure 1 ).