Collaborative innovations may be generated and well driven by strong visions and the progresses can be optimised by adequate monitoring and control. The paper specifies a verified framework for collaborative innovation for the case of small firms. Using the criticality concept it narrows down the attributes to be observed to a minimum set. The quantifications of these attributes provide for a reliable base for control and decision procedures ensuring the progress as well as the optimisation of collaborative innovations. The value bundles of all observable result in characteristics for control interventions that allow the set up of an efficient process control for collaborative innovation.