The Gartner Hype Cycle is a Conceptual Model represent the typical progression of new technologies and innovations through five key phases of public attention and adoption.

The phases are:

Innovation Trigger

  • A technology breakthrough or concept emerges.
  • Early proof-of-concept stories and media interest trigger significant attention.
  • Commercial viability is still unproven.

Peak of Inflated Expectations

  • Early publicity produces success stories, often accompanied by scores of failures.
  • Some companies take action; many do not.

Trough of Disillusionment

  • Interest wanes as experiments and implementations fail to deliver.
  • Producers of the technology either improve it or fail.

Slope of Enlightenment

  • Some businesses persist and begin to understand the benefits and practical applications.
  • More instances of how the technology can solve problems emerge.

Plateau of Productivity

  • Mainstream adoption begins to take off.
  • The technology’s broad market applicability and relevance are becoming clearer and more stable.