For any company or organization to grow, they need to reinvent, brainstorm new ideas, and spark the air of creativity in its team. A great idea can get lost in a notebook after some days, and nobody wants that.
The idea management platform is one place where you can enflame your team to work on new ideas, scribble down their thoughts, and leave them to brew.
We all know, “Creativity sparks creativity.”. And to bring out the best among employees, it is crucial to provide them with a space where they can discuss strategies, brainstorm, and see their ideas taking shape. Hence, the need for idea management software.
The software aids companies and organizations in gathering ideas, collecting, and then developing them. It can help you evaluate the impact of these ideas, project planning, and development, and later act as portfolio management.
To understand the relevance for an organization, let’s explore some top software and how it benefits small and large businesses.
What is Idea Management System?
The Idea management system is an arrangement of the processes to develop ideas for a business. The hierarchy of software to manage day-to-day processes, market trends, product development, competitive insights, and customer feedback.
The end goal is to manage and organize these ideas for the sake of development and improvement. The idea management software is best for companies of all sizes. It enables them to grow with the help of the ideation process and thrive with innovation.
Evaluation Criteria for Best Idea Management System
The selection criteria for the right idea management system must include factors that should help you:
- In improving your performance
- Identify unique aspects of your products/services
- Optimize your product’s quality
- Maximize returns, etc.
While the set of criteria may change based on your products, services, or your market, here are the four key factors to narrow down your choice:
Usability
It is like an essential rule. If the software is challenging to navigate, how can ideas develop and thrive?
User Interface
Time is a crucial component. If a person uses the idea management platform, everything should look crisp and clean – again, easy to navigate.
Value for Money
To run a successful business, it is an essential craft to put your money where you see it benefitting you. This is the first element any business owner looks for in a system.
Integration Across Platforms
This is the winning element for any idea management system to succeed. The company may integrate it with other tools to work on an idea. Adaptability and integration are winners.
3 Best Idea Management Software in 2023
Brightidea
Brightidea is an idea management platform with several fascinating features and always upgrades its system with new updates on client feedback. The software helps to evaluate, collect, screen, and develop new and old ideas for product development.
The software has one of the cleanest and easy-to-navigate UI. It doesn’t require installing a detached PLM (product lifecycle management) software. Additionally, it aids in the design research of new products.
This system’s features are enough for the company to work with new and old ideas. It has added the feature of exploring ideas from outer sources like startups, editorials, and universities.
Brainstorming is key to every business’s success. The whiteboard and stickies are great tools for teams to work on new ideas, brainstorm, and leave notes or your thoughts on stickies over new products or ideas.
Brightidea integrates with Microsoft Excel, Slack, Asana, Jira, Google Analytics 360, Microsoft Teams, Monday.com, Zaiper, Zendesk Suite, Airtable, ServiceNow, and YouTube. The prices begin from $59/month.
Craft.io
Craft.io is one-of-the-best management software on the block. It provides a project-driven roadmap. It is a perfect collaborative space where development and design teams can collaborate, communicate, share files, get product updates, and other critical information.
The prioritization feature is the winner among the businesses. It orders new ideas and puts them in highlights based on urgency. The capacity planning feature guarantees you deploy the required human resources to complete the task quickly.
With its strategy roadmap feature, you can observe product development. Also, highlighting features of new product employ ideas submitted by the team members for product development. The system gives you foresight on how the product complies with the objectives and KPIs.
You can integrate the software with GitLab, Dropbox, Pivotal Tracker, Jira, and Zapper. They have several plans available, Essential Plan for $39 per user/month, $89 editor/month, and custom plans for companies who require a tailor-designed plan.
Ideate
The first thing you notice is a white area. But as you use this idea management platform, you realize it was meant for you to the crowd. The super slick, easy-to-navigate interface makes it a top choice for small and large businesses.
The processes of Ideanote are meant to bring ideas to life. The lifecycle of ideas is very clear to funnel and see them through till the implementation.
The platform connects with thousand plus tools and apps such as Asana, Amazon Alexa, Calendar, Discord, Evernote, Dropbox, Github, G Suite, Docs, Sheets, Jira, Hubspot, Excel, and Google Teams among many other tools and apps that make Ideanote choice of businesses.
There are several plans for users. Beginning with Free Plan for 10 members, Business Plan for $49/month, and Enterprise — a custom plan for large organizations.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for the best idea management software for your organization, this guide will help you get started. If you have qualms about what works best for your team, you can get the free trial or try the free plan some software offers.
The software needs to be a great conversation starter and a place to ignite new ideas. Creativity is contagious. When the team is discussing and developing ideas, it may spark a great idea in another team member.
Some ideas may not seem great now, but the great thing about this platform is the ideas stay there. They may not be relevant now but can become crucial later.
The integration with other tools and applications enables you to sync and assimilate. Meanwhile, for every idea in the making, admin and team members can see it from initiation to development to the end.
It can pose a great learning experience for the team. It would help them understand the process and identify errors that can be rectified later in the next process.
