This research develops the understanding of the innovation facilitator’s (facilitator) role in terms of inexperienced innovation teams in an industrial context. Qualitative data was collected from three X-functional innovation teams’ members and their sponsor to identify the requirements for a facilitator. Forty characteristics were identified and charted in an innovation process. Significant findings, contributing to prior research, are that the facilitator’s presence and involvement in the innovation teams was crucial in the pre-phase and first phase of the innovation process due to the very high complexity; in these phases, personal characteristics as well as skills in, for example, facilitating, teaching, coaching, and group dynamics were central. The importance of the pre-phase was unexpected, resulting in an extended innovation process, during which an initial preparation phase has been added to the traditional innovation process. This knowledge is applicable, for example, when creating and educating new innovation teams within an organization. Future research is suggested.
open access