What is a key characteristic of the S-Curve of Innovation?

The S-Curve of Innovation is a graphical representation that illustrates how technological innovations evolve over time. A key characteristic of the S-Curve is its depiction of the growth and plateau phases of innovations. Initially, innovations typically experience slow adoption, which corresponds to the early stages of the S-Curve, where development and improvements are made. As the innovation gains traction and market acceptance, the growth phase accelerates dramatically, representing a steep rise on the curve. Eventually, as the market becomes saturated or the technology matures, growth slows down, leading to a plateau. This visual representation allows businesses and inventors to understand the lifecycle of an innovation and make informed decisions about investments and strategy based on where their product stands in relation to this curve.

The other options do not specifically capture the fundamental aspect of the S-Curve. Measuring customer satisfaction and tracking financial investments, while important for business operations, are not the primary focus of the S-Curve itself. Similarly, outlining marketing strategies, while relevant to the broader context of innovation diffusion, does not encapsulate the essence of the S-Curve's primary purpose in illustrating the stages of innovation growth and maturity.