What is Logical Incrementalism?

Logical Incrementalism, developed by Quinn (1980), is an approach to decision making wherein there is a mixture of strategic planning and spontaneous adaptation to change. 

 According to Quinn, "Constantly integrating the simultaneous incremental process of strategy formulation and implementation is the central art of effective strategic management". 

This stands for the proposition that strategic planning is not fully developed and then handed down for execution. Rather, the members of subsystems within an organization understand what is going on in their area. A master scheme together with goals is less apparent. 

What are the 5 stages of Logical Incrementalism?

The stages of logical incrementalism include: 

1. General concern. A vaguely felt awareness of an issue or opportunity.
2. Broadcasting of a general idea without details. The idea is floated for reactions pro and con and for refinements.
3. Formal development of a change plan.
4. Use of a crisis or opportunity to stimulate implementation of the change plan-retirement of a senior manager or a sudden loss of market share can facilitate rapid acceptance and implementation of the change.
5. Adaptation of the plan as implementation progresses.

What are the Key Features of Logical Incrementalism?

• It focuses on using broad, decentralized, organizational strategies to guide decision making, entrusting members of the organization who are familiar with the situation and have the necessary facts and data to make informed choices.
• Strategy formulation and implementation are linked in a continuous improvement cycle.
• Decisions can be grouped and analyzed to shape strategy and move the organization incrementally toward its objectives.
• Decentralized decision making is politically expedient and necessary.