Target of innovation controlling is the problem-adequate planning and control of complex and long lasting innovation processes. The relevant innovation controlling instruments are designed to purposefully manage innovation processes. Continual project evaluation shall provide information in any innovation phase to decide whether the project will be continued or cancelled.  Thereby, improving effectiveness and efficiency of R&D is an important goal towards the valuation of costs, risks, resource allocation and future development.

“R&D currently needs to simultaneously excel in efficiency, quality, flexibility and innovativeness.” (Enkel/Perez-Freije)

Formerly, R&D controlling was limited to the ex-post examination of budget and time assignments. Nowadays, the provision of decisive information stands in the centre of innovation controlling, effectively supporting management in the development of successful innovations.

Weber/Vinkemeier (2007) thereby identify potential contribution of controlling to the future orientation of an organization by:

• “choice and monitoring of early warning indicators
• coordination and reporting of corporate intelligence providing the interface to other departments, for example cooperation with innovation management (data preparation and concentration)
• strategic controlling through planning, control of premises and processes.”