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Six-question test

Disruptive Innovation

Based on Clayton Christensen’s work, these six questions help you examine whether an innovation is disruptive. The accompanying book summary is available below.

1. Does it target non consumers or people who are over-served by an incumbent’s existing offering?

2. Is the offer not as good as an incumbent’s existing offering as judged by historical performance measures?

3. Is the innovation simpler to use, more convenient or more affordable than existing offerings?

4. Does the offering have a technological enabler that can carry it upmarket and allow it to improve?

5. Is the technology paired with a business model innovation that allows it to sustain and sale?

6. Are existing providers motivated to ignore the new innovation and not threatened at the outset?

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Framework based on Clayton Christensen’s work. Original source credits are retained in the accompanying summary.

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