Features of planning in innovative activities

The article is devoted to the study of the features of innovative activity and the analysis of the specifics of planning of innovative projects in order to adapt the legislation of Ukraine to modern trends in innovative development. The scientific work identifies the features of innovation activity and compares them with standard business. The forms of results of innovation activity are analyzed: outputs, outcomes and impacts. It is found that impacts are of a deferred nature and may carry risks for society, the environment, human health, etc. It is argued that between the stages of the innovation cycle there are differences in the nature of uncertainties, risks, priorities, and resource needs, which necessitates the development of separate plans for each of them. It is proven that taking into account critical risks is an important component of innovation project planning. The feasibility of phased development of innovative project plans, combining classical and flexible planning methods, is substantiated. Based on the results of the study, it is proposed to harmonize the provisions of the Laws of Ukraine «On Innovation Activity» and «On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activity» regarding innovation projects, to introduce a holistic mechanism of state support for innovation activity, unified regulatory requirements and methodological recommendations for planning of innovation projects for each stage of the innovation cycle.