Product Innovation Faltering

PDMA report suggesting that the overall product innovation is slipping.

AMR Research VP Kevin O'Marah pointed to a landmark study by the Product Development Management Association (PDMA) which found a marked drop in more innovative new products (versus incremental enhancements) between 1995 and 2003. This has resulted in many more fast follower companies than new niche developers

benchmark cycle times for "new-to-the-world" products have fallen 40 percent, and many more companies have processes and strategies in place for product development. "I think it comes down to people being chicken," O'Marah says. "In a way everyone is trying to do what someone else has already proven works, rather than be truly innovative."

Part of the problem is risk aversion

many more fast followers than niche developers ! Now that reads like a point straight from Carr's book.