inkrementalizmus

Inkrementalizmus (Hungarian for incrementalism) denotes a decision-making and change-management approach that favors small, gradual adjustments over large, radical shifts. It emphasizes stepwise implementation, learning from successive outcomes, and adapting policies or designs in response to feedback and new information.

The concept is widely associated with public policy and administration, where it gained prominence through discussions of pragmatic, cautious reform—often contrasted with comprehensive planning or revolutionary change. Charles E. Lindblom’s description of "muddling through" exemplifies the analytical roots of incrementalist thinking, highlighting limited information, bounded rationality, and the political realities that make piecemeal change common in complex systems.

In practice, inkrementalizmus appears in governance, organizational management, software development (as iterative and incremental processes), and social programs. Advocates argue it reduces risk, allows continuous improvement, builds stakeholder consensus, and makes large systems more manageable. It can improve responsiveness by incorporating real-world feedback into successive stages.

Critics contend that incrementalism can perpetuate inadequate structures, entrench vested interests, delay necessary reforms, and suffer from short-termism that neglects long-term planning. Alternatives include comprehensive planning, transformative reform, and policies guided by long-term strategic visions. In many settings, practitioners blend incremental and systemic approaches, using small-scale iterations to test elements of broader reform agendas.