Cutting Edge vs. Bleeding Edge

Cutting edge and bleeding edge describe new and forward-looking technologies. Although both terms stand for advanced technologies, they have a clear difference.

Cutting edge represents the latest and greatest, and thus the most advanced technology available. Bleeding edge goes one step further: it is so new that it is still in the testing phase and consequently carries more risks.

Word origin

The terms bleeding edge and cutting edge are metaphorically related to a knife blade.

Bleeding edge technology:

Technologies that are so new that integration is associated with a high level of risk. They are usually still in beta testing. I.e. the knife (metaphorical for the technology) cuts so deeply during use that the cutting edge is bloody.

Cutting edge technology:

Former bleeding edge technologies. They are still new, but already further developed, so that the existing risk is comparatively lower. I.e., the knife (metaphorical for technology) still cuts in during use, but not so deeply that it bleeds.

In connection with these two terms, leading edge technology appears. Here, there is disagreement among experts as to how it relates to cutting or bleeding edge. It is listed either as a synonym to cutting edge or to bleeding edge, or as a third separate category whose technology is more advanced compared to cutting edge. However, there is a consensus that it also describes an innovative, leading edge and new cutting edge technology.

The opposite of innovative cutting edge technologies is called legacy technology. It describes an older, proven and much tested technology, which is thus ,,inherited,.

Comparison

One can never predict whether a bleeding edge technology will become a cutting edge technology. All advantages and disadvantages should always be weighed against each other in each individual case. The following table shows the most decisive advantages and disadvantages between the different technologies.

Table 1: Bleeding edge, cutting edge and legacy technologies in comparison

In the world of technology and IT a rapid development can be observed, therefore it is important to constantly stay up to date. Although legacy technologies offer a high level of security in terms of integration and error-proneness, they are no longer suitable enough for some tasks due to constant progress. In addition, no legacy technologies exist for ,,modern,, tasks, so at this point only new and innovative technologies can be the solution.

With bleeding edge technologies, one moves at the forefront of progress and at the same time takes a high risk. While these are the top current technologies and one gains a significant advantage over the competition through early integration, the integration itself is very complex and sometimes costly. In addition, it must be expected that there are still some serious defects undiscovered and there is no guarantee that the software or technology will establish itself in the market.

The cutting edge technologies, on the other hand, are more advanced in development. They are still new and innovative, but ,,older,, compared to the bleeding edge technologies. Thus, a small part of the technical advantage is traded for a little more security and support. Cutting edge is a good compromise if you want to rely on new technologies and at the same time keep the risk as low as possible. For this reason, companies and stakeholders prefer cutting edge, rather than bleeding edge technologies. Consequently, it is in the interest of development to make the leap between technologies

Testing software

Especially in the software area a strong change can be observed. As a result, many cutting and bleeding edge technologies can be found in this area. Whether a software makes the jump from bleeding edge to cutting edge and finally to a proven technology depends on two factors:

Needs of the broad mass or target group + product quality of the software

Targeted and standardized testing activities can ensure the product quality of the software. Consequently, minimizing the risk of defects in the software also minimizes the risk of the software already failing as a bleeding edge technology. Here it is advisable to start testing as early as possible in the development phase.

To support the satisfaction of the needs of the broad mass or target group, the usage quality of the software should be tested in parallel. This is a factor that is usually considered only indirectly during conventional software testing, but plays a decisive role as soon as the software is available on the open market.

Thus the test activities are during the development of a software a substantial component, which decides on the success or failure of a software.

Summary

Bleeding edge and Cutting edge technologies are innovative, leading edge and advanced technologies whose integration comes with risks, due to high probability of bug occurrence and low to no support.

The key difference between the two technologies is the stage of development. Bleeding edge technologies are mostly still in beta testing, i.e., they represent the cutting edge of progress, but thus also carry the greatest risk. The cutting edge technologies are former bleeding edge technologies that are more advanced and thus comparatively pose less risk.

The cutting edge technologies are preferred as a trade-off between innovation and risk minimization. Therefore, the leap from bleeding edge to cutting edge is critical to the establishment of the software or technology.

The difference between the two technologies is very narrow, but crucial for software quality. Whether the leap from bleeding edge to cutting edge is successful depends very much on the testing activities during software development.