Gartner Social Software Hype Cycle

Keeping a finger on the pulse of where social is likely to go is important. I find these Gartner Hype Cycles to be seful however it is important to look at the specific situation that the business you work with is in. I do find it strange that blogs and presence (whatever that is deemed to be here – seems a little too broad) are the only ones in the ‘Plateau of Productivity’…Image taken from Spigit

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Here are the five stages of the hype cycle:

1. Technology Trigger

The first phase of a Hype Cycle is the “technology trigger” or breakthrough, product launch or other event that generates significant press and interest. A “technology trigger” is breakthrough, public demonstration, product launch or other event generates significant press and industry interest.

2. Peak of Inflated Expectations

In the next phase, a frenzy of publicity typically generates over-enthusiasm and unrealistic expectations. There may be some successful applications of a technology, but there are typically more failures.

3. Trough of Disillusionment

Technologies enter the “trough of disillusionment” because they fail to meet expectations and quickly become unfashionable. Consequently, the press usually abandons the topic and the technology.

4. Slope of Enlightenment

Although the press may have stopped covering the technology, some businesses continue through the “slope of enlightenment” and experiment to understand the benefits and practical application of the technology.

5. Plateau of Productivity

A technology reaches the “plateau of productivity” as the benefits of it become widely demonstrated and accepted. The technology becomes increasingly stable and evolves in second and third generations.

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