The Front End of Innovation in Defense: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Innovation management, a multifaceted organizational process encompassing opportunities and ideas from inception to implementation, demands a systematic approach, particularly in the critical initial phase known as the Front End of Innovation (FEI). This pivotal phase significantly influences the entire innovation management chain. Despite its recognized importance, FEI in the defense sector has yet to be systematically addressed in the academic literature. Recognizing the vital role of FEI in the defense sector, this study addresses this deficiency through a systematic review, scrutinizing 24 documents from the scientific literature (Scopus and Web of Science databases) and gray literature (government defense documents). This research systematically maps key activities identified in seminal FEI models. These activities include the identification and analysis of opportunities; generation, enrichment, and screening of ideas; product concept definition; and consideration of influencing factors. Concurrently, this work aligns defense practices with established innovation models and provides valuable insights for optimizing the management dynamics of the military innovation process. Through this systematic inquiry, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the FEI in the defense sector, offering practical implications for enhancing defense innovation development.