Hype Cycles

A Hype Cycle is a graphic representation of the maturity, adoption and business application of specific technologies. The concept was developed by the Gartner Group who state that hype cycles aim to separate the hype from the reality, and help decision makers to decide whether or not a particular technology is ready for adoption. The Gartner Group produces a range of hype cycles for different business areas that are regularly updated and they have given their kind permission for us to include the Hype Cycle for Higher Education, 2005 as part of this resource.

The phases they identify are:

• Technology Trigger - a new technology first comes to market
• Peak of Inflated Expectations - hype about the new technology raises over ambitious expectations that this technology will revolutionise the way we do x, y or z
• Trough of Disillusionment - early adopters identify all sorts of practical difficulties and find that the (inflated) expected benefits aren't immediately materialising
• Slope of Enlightenment - people persevere with the technology with a more realistic set of expectations
• Plateau of Productivity - the technology reaches maturity, early teething problems are ironed out and people understand how to use it to best effect