Disruptive Innovation Explained by Clayton Christensen

When talking to clients and colleagues the term "disruptive innovation" will often be used.  In fact, this is popular enough that it appears in government solicitations.  Since the term was originated by Clayton Christensen several years ago, it has taken on a variety of different meanings.  It is certainly overused, but I often wonder if it is being misused.  It is important to recognize that the term comes directly from Christensen's Disruptive Innovation Theory.  And although it has since strayed from this specific definition, it is important to keep its past in mind.

Here is the original definition from Christensen:

"A disruptive innovation is not a breakthrough innovation that makes good products a lot better.  But it has a very specific definition.  And that is it transforms a product that historically was so expensive and complicated that only a few people with a lot of money and a lot of skill had access to it.  A disruptive innovation makes it so much more affordable and accessible that a much larger population have access to it."  (Clayton Christensen)

In this short video Christensen describes his theory and a few case examples: