The North American shale boom and the proliferation of cleantech start-up companies in fields as diverse as biofuels to batteries, coal to composites, and water to waste-to-energy — all within a mere 10 years — reinforce the critical role of technology, innovation, and R&D in oil and gas, energy, and chemical industries. Notwithstanding the widespread acceptance of its importance and disruptive nature, executing innovation continues to be a challenge for all companies.