Three dozen software packages that are credited to enable creative thinking

A recent article lists more than 40 software tools claimed to be able to support and manage innovation. The article is in the MIT Sloan Mgt. Rev., Summer 2010 at 45, and it breaks the software into four broad categories and 14 types thereunder. Being ignorant about many of the offerings, I will simply list a number of them that are new to me.

Under the category “Analysis” and the type “Process Management,” there are three examples that “simulate and assess process design alternatives”: Lombardi, Metastorm, and BPM.

Under the category “Collaboration” and type “Social Networking” are listed PHPizabi, Relenet, and “linked expert blogs on specialized subjects.” What is the notion of “linked” in at last one? Under the same category but the type “Document Management/Portal” is Atlassian Confluence.

Finally, under “Innovation Management” and the type “Intellectual Property Management” are RSG Media RightsLogic and Anaqua (See my post of May 20, 2005: Anaqua as joint development effort.).