Let's look at the Technology Lifecycle in terms of the competitive advantages of innovation and of incorporating the "latest" technology.

In doing so we must be able to tell the difference between the "Leading" and the "Bleeding" edge.

The latest and greatest technology is not always where you want to be. The risk of going over the edge is vastly increased when enthusiasm and excitement blind the players to the weaknesses and failings of the new offering.

Just as Moore (2006) described the Disruptive Technology Adoption Life Cycle in market readiness terms, the practical readiness of the technology itself is a reflection of the degree of effort and difficulty needed to use the technology in a production setting.

If you are willing to overlook and work through the missing parts, you will be able to get it to work. But, it will take much time and effort that you could be devoting more effectively elsewhere. And even if your get your newest and greatest technology working, it may fail by losing support when a more mature product gains general acceptance.

It is very important to remember that the most sophisticated product does not always become the industry standard. The industry standard is often the "best" in terms of market acceptance. A product that is simple, complete, and "ready," that is to say works well enough is often the winner over a super product that does a lot more but is difficult to use and buggy.

What examples of great, leading edge, products that did NOT become the standard can you think of?

What happened to them?

Innovators "The Chasm" Early I I Adopters I 1 Early Majority I Late Majority Technology Adoption Lifecycle Laggards Area under the curve represents number of customers