Threshold
A critical point or level that, once crossed, triggers a significant change in system behavior—often a rapid shift to a different state.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 40 chapters:
"Organisms without it die. There's no middle ground. Rate your organization (1-5 scale, using objective thresholds): Revenue model flexibility: - 1 = One model, >90% of revenue - 2 = One dominant model (70-90% revenue), one experimental (<10%) - 3 = Two model..."
"...nts overgrowth, knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to start 6. Square-cube law limits scale, requiring redesigns at each size threshold 7. Growth competes with other functions** for scarce resources - trade-offs are inevitable None of this is metaphor. This is mechanism."
"...g Indicator Dashboard showing: - 5-8 critical leading metrics - Current values and 30/60/90-day trends - Clear ownership (who monitors each metric) - Thresholds that trigger action Success Metrics: - 30 days: Leadership team reviews dashboard weekly, can recite top 3 metrics from memory - 90 days..."
"...re actually guiding behavior - Customer Feedback: External signal of whether DNA promises are being delivered Measuring Fidelity: Quantifiable Thresholds How do you know if replication succeeded? Use these fidelity scoring dimensions: High Fidelity (90-100%): - New unit feels identical to origi..."
"Can you launch 10 experiments in 90 days? Punctuated pressure early warning system: | Signal Type | What to Monitor | Threshold for Action | |------------|----------------|---------------------| | Regulatory | New laws, enforcement changes, court rulings | Any rule that in..."
And 35 more chapters...
Biological Context
Ecosystems can cross thresholds and flip to alternative stable states—coral reefs becoming algae-dominated, grasslands becoming deserts. Neural signals fire only when stimulus exceeds a threshold. Thresholds make systems non-linear and can cause sudden, dramatic changes.
Business Application
Business thresholds include minimum viable scale, price points that trigger different buyer behaviors, and market share levels that activate network effects.