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:

  1. Innovation Trigger

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

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

    • Interest wanes as experiments and implementations fail to deliver.
    • Producers of the technology either improve it or fail.
  4. 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.
  5. Plateau of Productivity

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