In spite of the variety of studies regarding innovation management questions, there is still a lack of studies concerning the structuring of the innovation management activity in developing countries’ firms. In parallel, there is an increasing number of studies arguing that these firms have no innovative capabilities. Traditionally, however, the metrics used for analysing the innovative capabilities of firms of this nature, such as patents and research and development investments, are incapable of understanding how the innovation process occurs. This study seeks to contribute with the filling of these existing gaps. In this sense, it suggests a total innovation management system focused on the reality of developing countries’ firms, which gives rise to a group of non-conventional indicators to examine the technological capabilities, such as cadence and projects’ mix, here presented and discussed.In spite of the variety of studies regarding innovation management questions, there is still a lack of studies concerning the structuring of the innovation management activity in developing countries’ firms. In parallel, there is an increasing number of studies arguing that these firms have no innovative capabilities. Traditionally, however, the metrics used for analysing the innovative capabilities of firms of this nature, such as patents and research and development investments, are incapable of understanding how the innovation process occurs. This study seeks to contribute with the filling of these existing gaps. In this sense, it suggests a total innovation management system focused on the reality of developing countries’ firms, which gives rise to a group of non-conventional indicators to examine the technological capabilities, such as cadence and projects’ mix, here presented and discussed.In spite of the variety of studies regarding innovation management questions, there is still a lack of studies concerning the structuring of the innovation management activity in developing countries’ firms. In parallel, there is an increasing number of studies arguing that these firms have no innovative capabilities. Traditionally, however, the metrics used for analysing the innovative capabilities of firms of this nature, such as patents and research and development investments, are incapable of understanding how the innovation process occurs. This study seeks to contribute with the filling of these existing gaps. In this sense, it suggests a total innovation management system focused on the reality of developing countries’ firms, which gives rise to a group of non-conventional indicators to examine the technological capabilities, such as cadence and projects’ mix, here presented and discussed.