Framework
Incremental, punctuated and continuous change
The question it answers
When planning a change programme, how should senior leaders tell whether it is incremental, punctuated or continuous, and choose how to lead it accordingly?
- Origin
- By, 2005; Weick & Quinn, 1999; Orlikowski, 1996
- Diagram type
- Comparison table
- Level of analysis
- Firm
- Topics
- Change management
Diagram
Incremental, punctuated and continuous change
| Criterion | Incremental | Punctuated equilibrium | Continuous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Small steps | Long stability then a jump | A continuous climb |
| Trigger | One problem, one goal | Technology, process redesign, deregulation | Constant adjustment in everyday work |
| Example | IT training, kaizen | Promotion, dismissal, restructuring | Career development, gradual cultural drift |
Sources
References
Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.
- By, R.T. (2005) ‘Organisational change management: a critical review’, Journal of Change Management, 5(4), pp. 369–380.doi:10.1080/14697010500359250Source page
- Orlikowski, W.J. (1996) ‘Improvising organizational transformation over time: a situated change perspective’, Information Systems Research, 7(1), pp. 63–92.doi:10.1287/isre.7.1.63Source page
- Weick, K.E. and Quinn, R.E. (1999) ‘Organizational change and development’, Annual Review of Psychology, 50, pp. 361–386.doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.361Source page