The term "Open Challenge List (OCL)" refers to a structured, typically software-supported list of current open tasks, issues, or challenges within a company or project. It is primarily used in innovation management, product development, or idea management. The purpose is to create transparency, promote collaborative problem solving, and systematically support innovation processes—both internally (e.g., in R&D teams) and externally (e.g., through crowdsourcing or partnerships).
Challenge creation and management: Recording new challenges including description, objectives, and deadlines.
Categorization and prioritization: Structuring by topic areas, urgency, or strategic relevance.
Idea and solution submission: Allowing internal or external users to submit proposed solutions.
Evaluation systems: Scoring or review mechanisms to select promising ideas systematically.
Workflow management: Automated processes for handling, approving, and implementing challenges and solutions.
Notifications and deadline tracking: Alerts for expiring challenges or new submissions.
Collaboration features: Commenting, discussing, and further developing submitted ideas.
Analytics and reporting: Evaluations of success rates, participation levels, or innovation impact.
An industrial company publishes development challenges for new materials and invites external researchers to contribute solutions.
An R&D team uses OCL software internally to make unresolved technical issues visible and activate cross-team expertise.
A municipality posts sustainability-related challenges on a public OCL platform and engages citizens in solution development.
A startup uses an OCL system to systematically incorporate user feedback into product development.
A corporation partners with startups by offering technological challenges on a platform and integrating external solutions.