Innovation can be defined as a new idea, method, or device - a novelty - or as the introduction of something new.

Thus, innovation is, by definition, a vague term.

Various efforts have been made over the years to define and measure innovation, in order to be able to effectively predict, stimulate and harness human creativity. We may encounter such efforts in EU and national programmes, directives and commissions, in private R&D initiatives as well as in methodologies and tools developed by consultancies.

Among these efforts, certain patterns become prevalent. Some of these common links have been collected and are presented below: