What does it mean: think “table” and not “kill"?

The following is from Designing for Growth: A Design Thinking Toolkit for Managers:

Ultimately, learning launches need to result in decisions. If you have tested key assumptions, you should also be able to make concrete decisions about if and how to move ahead with the growth project. If you decide not to move ahead, think “table” and not “kill.” Chances are, if a concept is strong enough to get to the learning launch stage, its problems may be temporary. Times change and so do enabling technologies, customer readiness, and so forth.

What does the expression, think “table” and not “kill”, mean?

Solution 1:

To "table" an idea, in American English at least, is to delay or postpone an idea that has been presented and not necessarily reject it outright.

In British English, it's used in a rather opposite manner: to put an idea forward to be discussed. From the OED:

table something (British English) to present something formally for discussion

table something (North American English) to leave an idea, a proposal, etc. to be discussed at a later date

I'd say to "kill" seems very final; the subject is no longer up for discussion under any circumstances.

Edit: The OP has updated the question with the actual context for his question. The quote comes from the book 'Designing for Growth' published by Columbia Business School, which is an American school.

With that in mind, it's clear that the quote is using the American English verb "table"; it is saying not to reject ideas outright ("kill"), but to temporarily put them aside for further consideration in the future ("table").

Solution 2:

The terms are from "parliamentary procedure". "Tabling" a bill or motion puts off consideration of it, possibly for a specified period, possibly indefinitely. "Killing" a bill/motion (I think there's a more polite term in Robert's Rules) completely removes it from consideration.

The paragraph is simply saying "Don't be too quick to discard an idea completely, as either circumstances or your understanding of it may change".

Solution 3:

I agree with @Hotlicks that these terms are from Robert’s Rules of Order. I also agree with the general sentiment that to kill a bill is more definitive and final than to table the bill.

In referring to this summary (http://www.robertsrules.org/), I would like to point out a few terms.

First, to Lay on the Table means:

Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question; may be made after motion to close debate has carried or is pending

Its inverse, to Take from the Table, means:

Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table"

(While I wouldn't disagree with BrE commentary on the interpretation of table, I wonder if AmE speakers use table as an abbreviation for Lay on the table while BrE speakers use it as an abbreviation to Take from the table.)

To Postpone indefinitely means:

Kills the question/resolution for this session - exception: the motion to reconsider can be made this session.

In the US Senate and HR, a bill can be killed in a number of ways, including:

• Being voted down (See House Kills Transgender Bill After Moderate Republicans Panic)
• Not being referred back to the main body from a committee (See this.)
• Not being taken up (See this from the Canadian Senate).
• Being postponed indefinitely
• By being laid on the table (and not taken up again during that session)
• Through a filibuster (Senate only), which is not having the votes to limit debate and stopping further progress of the Senate.

I think the meaning of the OP's quote is that an idea whose time has not yet come should be reconsidered at a future date, as opposed to being banned from any further consideration.