Employee Invention Disclosures KPI

What is Employee Invention Disclosures?
The number of invention disclosures submitted by employees, which can serve as a pipeline for potential patent applications.

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Employee Invention Disclosures serve as a leading indicator of innovation within an organization, reflecting the effectiveness of R&D efforts and employee engagement.

High disclosure rates often correlate with improved financial health and operational efficiency, driving competitive positioning in the market.

By fostering a culture of creativity, companies can harness employee insights to develop new products and services, ultimately enhancing ROI metrics.

Tracking this KPI enables management to make data-driven decisions that align with strategic goals, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize business outcomes.

Employee Invention Disclosures Interpretation

High values in Employee Invention Disclosures indicate a vibrant culture of innovation, suggesting employees feel empowered to contribute ideas. Conversely, low values may signal disengagement or barriers to idea-sharing, which can stifle growth. Ideal targets should align with industry benchmarks and reflect a commitment to fostering creativity.

  • Above target threshold – Strong innovation culture; encourage further disclosures.
  • At target threshold – Healthy balance; maintain engagement strategies.
  • Below target threshold – Immediate action needed; assess barriers to disclosure.

Employee Invention Disclosures Benchmarks

We have 17 relevant benchmarks in our benchmarks database.

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per US$100 million ATRE range mixed university technology transfer offices higher education technology transfer cross-country

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per office FTE average mixed FY2020 institutions responding to the AUTM Canadian Licensing Activ higher education technology transfer Canada 30 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per $10 million CAD research expenditures average mixed FY2020 institutions responding to the AUTM Canadian Licensing Activ higher education technology transfer Canada 30 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median mixed FY2020 institutions responding to the AUTM Canadian Licensing Activ higher education technology transfer Canada 30 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 6 ($150,000–$25,138,000 research expenditures) 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 8 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 5 ($25,138,000–$50,408,000 research expenditures) 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 14 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 4 ($50,408,000–$126,477,000 research expenditures 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 25 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 3 ($126,477,000–$264,216,000 research expenditure 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 44 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 2 ($264,216,000–$553,876,000 research expenditure 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 39 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median HERD Group 1 (>$553,876,000 research expenditures) 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 64 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures average and median mixed 2022 institutions (AUTM peer group comparison) higher education technology transfer United States 194 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per $10 million research expenditures average mixed FY2020 institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States 197 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per office staff FTE average mixed FY2020 institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States 197 institutions

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per $10 million research funding benchmark mixed last five years (through 2019) institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per office staff FTE benchmark mixed last five years (through 2019) institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per $10 million research expenditures benchmark mixed past five years institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States

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Value Unit Type Company Size Time Period Population Industry Geography Sample Size
Subscribers only disclosures per office staff FTE benchmark mixed past five years institutions responding to the AUTM Licensing Survey higher education technology transfer United States

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Common Pitfalls

Many organizations overlook the importance of a structured process for submitting and evaluating invention disclosures, leading to missed opportunities for innovation.

  • Failing to communicate the value of disclosures can discourage participation. Employees may not see the connection between their ideas and business outcomes, leading to apathy.
  • Neglecting to provide adequate resources for idea development stifles creativity. Without support, promising concepts may never transition into viable projects.
  • Overcomplicating the submission process can frustrate employees. Lengthy forms or unclear guidelines deter potential contributors from sharing their ideas.
  • Ignoring feedback from employees on the disclosure process can perpetuate inefficiencies. Regularly soliciting input helps refine the system and encourages ongoing participation.

KPI Depot is trusted by consulting, strategy, finance, and analytics teams at leading organizations worldwide, including those listed below.

AAMC Accenture AXA Bristol Myers Squibb Capgemini DBS Bank Dell Delta Emirates Global Aluminum EY GSK GlaskoSmithKline Honeywell IBM Mitre Northrup Grumman Novo Nordisk NTT Data PepsiCo Samsung Suntory TCS Tata Consultancy Services Vodafone

Improvement Levers

Enhancing Employee Invention Disclosures requires a proactive approach to cultivate an innovative environment.

  • Establish clear guidelines and training for employees on how to submit disclosures. Simplifying the process increases participation and ensures ideas are captured effectively.
  • Implement a recognition program that rewards employees for successful disclosures. Celebrating contributions fosters a culture of innovation and motivates others to participate.
  • Provide resources and mentorship for employees to develop their ideas further. Access to funding or expert guidance can transform raw concepts into market-ready innovations.
  • Encourage cross-functional collaboration to spark new ideas. Bringing diverse teams together can lead to unique perspectives and innovative solutions.

Employee Invention Disclosures Case Study Example

A mid-sized tech firm faced stagnation in its product pipeline, with Employee Invention Disclosures dropping to an all-time low. Recognizing the need for change, leadership initiated a campaign called "Innovate Together," aimed at revitalizing employee engagement in the innovation process. The campaign included workshops, brainstorming sessions, and an easy-to-navigate online portal for submissions.

Within 6 months, the number of disclosures surged by 150%, with several ideas progressing to prototype stages. Employees reported feeling more valued and connected to the company's mission, leading to a renewed sense of purpose. The firm also established a review panel to evaluate submissions, ensuring that promising ideas received the attention they deserved.

As a result, the company launched two new products within a year, generating an additional $5MM in revenue. The success of "Innovate Together" not only improved the disclosure rate but also enhanced overall employee morale and retention. This initiative demonstrated the tangible benefits of fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

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What is the standard formula?
Number of Employee Invention Disclosures


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FAQs about Employee Invention Disclosures

What is an Employee Invention Disclosure?

An Employee Invention Disclosure is a formal submission by an employee detailing a novel idea or invention. It serves as a mechanism for organizations to capture and evaluate innovative concepts that can drive business growth.

How can we encourage more disclosures?

Encouraging disclosures can be achieved through clear communication about their importance and potential rewards. Implementing recognition programs and simplifying the submission process can significantly boost participation.

What happens after a disclosure is submitted?

Once submitted, disclosures are typically reviewed by a designated panel or committee. This team evaluates the idea's feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with strategic goals before deciding on further development.

Are there any legal considerations with disclosures?

Yes, legal considerations such as intellectual property rights must be addressed. Organizations should have clear policies in place to protect both the employee's rights and the company's interests in any inventions.

How often should we review our disclosure process?

Regular reviews of the disclosure process are essential, ideally on an annual basis. This ensures that the system remains efficient, relevant, and aligned with evolving business goals and employee needs.

Can disclosures lead to patents?

Yes, many disclosures can lead to patent applications if the ideas meet the necessary criteria. Organizations often have processes in place to evaluate and pursue patents for viable inventions.



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