Domino Effect

A chain reaction where one event triggers a cascade of subsequent events, each causing the next. Small initial events can produce enormous cumulative effects if the dominoes are properly aligned. In business, explains both cascading failures (supply chain disruptions, bank runs) and cascading successes (viral adoption, word-of-mouth growth). The strategic question: what dominoes are set up, and which trigger would you pull?

When to use it

When designing strategies that need chain reactions (viral growth, culture change). When assessing systemic risk (what single failure could cascade?). When looking for leverage points in complex systems.

How it can help

Helps identify high-leverage intervention points where a single action could trigger a positive cascade. Also helps assess vulnerability—where a single failure could cascade into systemic collapse. Essential for both strategy design and risk management.