#local maximum

The highest point over the entire domain of a function or relation. Absolute Maximum Note: The first derivative test and the second derivative test are common methods used to find maximum values of a function.   relative maximum, local maximum, relative minimum, local minimum, absolute minimum, global minimum, extremum.

In any project, there comes a time during development, especially from a design point of view, where it feels like a wall has been hit. You have went along with a design solution for so long now, you can’t just throw it and start again because it’s deeply rooted into the whole solution, but you can barely evolve it further. Even after iterative testing and user feedback, the feedback begins to reduce as the amplitude of change lessens. A complete overhaul isn’t always necessary, a big change however could be accommodated and help to drive the solution further.

The ‘local maximum’ reflects the stage where so many changes have been made to an iteration, that no more can be done to better the outcome.

The common complaint, 'it ain't broke' a lack of rememberance for the idea a local maximum a trench through which to advance.

You should constantly move from idea to idea when you're working on a new startup... until you get to something that is scalable.  Then stop the ideation and focus on execution.

Rarely will the first idea be the one that should be scaled.  My friend Scott Clark (BuzzMaven) talks a lot about adjacent possibilities as a way of exploring new ideas which I think applies here.  You need to find a good solid idea to start the process and then riff on it.  This takes time so you should make sure you have the runway to go through this process.

I've been "riffing" on my new startup Punndit for about a year and a half now.  The original idea has matured and we now have a much more solid understanding of where we can create real value and build a business.  That was unclear 18 months ago.  We went from what would have been solving a local maximum to what we now think could be a global maximum.  Not sure you can get there without going through that process.