Degrees: Incremental to Transformative
Beyond its form, innovation varies in degree - how big a leap it represents. The same form (say, a product) can be a minor refinement or a world-changing breakthrough. Understanding the degrees helps a business balance its portfolio between safe, near-term bets and bold, transformative ones.
Incremental
Small, continuous improvements to what exists. Low risk, near-certain return, modest impact. The bread and butter of staying competitive.
Breakthrough (radical)
A significant leap that meaningfully changes the offering or its performance. Higher risk, higher reward, opens new possibilities.
Transformative
A change so profound it reshapes markets, behaviours, or entire industries. Highest risk and uncertainty, but potentially defines a new era. Rare, and rarely comes from incumbents.
| Degree | Risk / reward | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Incremental | Low / modest | A better phone camera each year |
| Breakthrough | Higher / higher | The first touchscreen smartphone |
| Transformative | Highest / era-defining | The smartphone reshaping daily life |
Where does your organisation's innovation effort mostly sit?
Pick the answer that fits you best - there's no wrong choice.
Is your innovation portfolio balanced across the degrees, or clustered in the safe incremental zone? What would a bolder bet look like?
Sources
- Global Innovation Institute (GInI), Foundations of Innovation body of knowledge.
- Norman, D. & Verganti, R., "Incremental and Radical Innovation", 2014.
- Davila, Epstein & Shelton, Making Innovation Work, 2006.