The paper explores the relation between innovations and standards in companies that have implemented an IT Service Management framework. Six German companies were asked which process was implemented first: the framework or the Innovation Management process. In addition, the companies were queried on the impact of IT Service Management frameworks on innovation. The resultant research shows that a great majority of companies that adopted an IT Service Management framework first and later implemented the Innovation Management process. Benefits observed include a faster adoption of innovations and an enhanced ability to recognize potential for improvement.