More than 20 years ago, late HBS professor Clayton Christensen introduced a revolutionary concept that transformed the business world and is still widely applied today: disruptive innovation. In this program, Christensen's team will help strategic decision-makers understand how disruption works and determine when to invest in core versus disruptive business models. As you gain insight into the ways that evolving industries, technologies, and competitive forces can affect your business, you will be better prepared to harness innovation, lead breakthrough change, and sustain enterprise success.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

Summary

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

Key Benefits

Examining disruption and strategic decision-making through the lens of Christensen's transformative theory, you will gain a deeper understanding of the levers that can drive organizational growth. With the ability to spot potential threats and opportunities sooner and make the right strategic moves faster, you will be ready to drive innovation and position your organization for long-term success.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry

Analyze how the structure of an industry may change
Avoid having your business disrupted by others
Achieve differentiation and better margins
Assess your company's capabilities
Sustain core businesses while enabling innovation
Avert common problems that lead companies into decline

Drive innovation Drive innovation

Align your organization around innovation initiatives
Rethink your product, market and strategy
Apply disruptive theories to complex problems and opportunities
Build the skills and vision critical to leading change

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks

Adopt a strategic mindset and skillset
Apply theories of causality to understand why things happen the way they do
Accurately predict the impact of strategic actions
Better articulate your strategic questions and goals
Assess the risks and opportunities presented by actions such as:

Ignoring sunk costs and making decisions at the margin
Implementing a strategy of low-cost positioning
Scaling fast to take advantage of network effects
Outsourcing activities that are not your current core competence
Sourcing new leaders from inside the firm

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry

Analyze how the structure of an industry may change
Avoid having your business disrupted by others
Achieve differentiation and better margins
Assess your company's capabilities
Sustain core businesses while enabling innovation
Avert common problems that lead companies into decline

Drive innovation

Align your organization around innovation initiatives
Rethink your product, market and strategy
Apply disruptive theories to complex problems and opportunities
Build the skills and vision critical to leading change

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks

Adopt a strategic mindset and skillset
Apply theories of causality to understand why things happen the way they do
Accurately predict the impact of strategic actions
Better articulate your strategic questions and goals
Assess the risks and opportunities presented by actions such as:

Ignoring sunk costs and making decisions at the margin
Implementing a strategy of low-cost positioning
Scaling fast to take advantage of network effects
Outsourcing activities that are not your current core competence
Sourcing new leaders from inside the firm

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

The program is appropriate for senior executives, general managers, or business owners who are responsible for setting strategic direction for their organizations.

Attendance by two or more individuals from your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Mastering the Art of Disruptive Innovation

Develop strategic-thinking skills and gain methodologies for making decisions.

Read Her Story

The Disruptive Voice Podcast

Participants of Disruptive Innovation share how the program helped them when facing threats.

Listen Now

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

The Explainer: Disruptive Innovation

Professor Clayton Christensen's landmark theory is revealed.

Watch the Video

Who Should Attend

The program is appropriate for senior executives, general managers, or business owners who are responsible for setting strategic direction for their organizations.

Attendance by two or more individuals from your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Mastering the Art of Disruptive Innovation

Develop strategic-thinking skills and gain methodologies for making decisions.

Read Her Story

The Disruptive Voice Podcast

Participants of Disruptive Innovation share how the program helped them when facing threats.

Listen Now

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

The Explainer: Disruptive Innovation

Professor Clayton Christensen's landmark theory is revealed.

Watch the Video

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Learning and Living at HBS

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Created by Clayton Christensen and led by his teaching team, this stimulating program offers the opportunity to engage in a dynamic learning experience through presentations, carefully chosen case studies, and small-group discussions. In this program you will examine the strategies of both disruptors and the disrupted. You'll discover why some strategies succeeded while others failed, and learn how to apply these insights to your own strategic decisions.

Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

What You Will Learn

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Disruption and your strategy Disruption and your strategy

What does disruption really mean—and how does it work?
How can you tell when a potential disruptor is going to be successful?
What is the signal that an industry is about to commoditize? How do you position to take advantage of that shift?
How do you set strategy in a world that is changing so rapidly? What do you do when what you know is vastly outweighed by what you don't know?

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities

Whose investment capital will help you succeed, and whose money might poison your chances?
Who is your ideal target customer, and how can selecting the wrong customers kill your brand?
What is the hidden danger of core competence theory? How should you decide which activities to keep in-house and which to outsource?
Should you make acquisitions as a means of building capability? If so, should you integrate them or keep them separate?

Key Topics

Disruption and your strategy

What does disruption really mean—and how does it work?
How can you tell when a potential disruptor is going to be successful?
What is the signal that an industry is about to commoditize? How do you position to take advantage of that shift?
How do you set strategy in a world that is changing so rapidly? What do you do when what you know is vastly outweighed by what you don't know?

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities

Whose investment capital will help you succeed, and whose money might poison your chances?
Who is your ideal target customer, and how can selecting the wrong customers kill your brand?
What is the hidden danger of core competence theory? How should you decide which activities to keep in-house and which to outsource?
Should you make acquisitions as a means of building capability? If so, should you integrate them or keep them separate?

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Chester A. Huber

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Rory M. McDonald

Thai-Hi T. Lee (MBA 1985) Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Derek C. M. van Bever

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Stephen P. Kaufman

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Chester A. Huber

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Rory M. McDonald

Thai-Hi T. Lee (MBA 1985) Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Derek C. M. van Bever

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Stephen P. Kaufman

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Africa

11%

Asia Pacific

20%

Europe

15%

Latin America

10%

Middle East

35%

North America

9%Africa

11%Asia Pacific

20%Europe

15%Latin America

10%Middle East

35%North America

Top Industries Represented

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

22%

Financial

Manufacturing

Chem / Pharma / Bio

Consumer Products

Nonprofit Services

High Technology

Utilities / Telecom

Communications

Top Industries Represented

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

22%

Financial

Manufacturing

Chem / Pharma / Bio

Consumer Products

Nonprofit Services

High Technology

Utilities / Telecom

Communications

Experience

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Participating Companies Have Included:

Accenture

Anglo American

Citibanamex

Intel

Deutsche Bank

Fidelity

Globo

Maersk Group

Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Samsung Electronics

Saudi Telecom

Verizon

Your Peers Expand Your Learning: Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

9%

Africa

11%

Asia Pacific

20%

Europe

15%

Latin America

10%

Middle East

35%

North America

9%Africa

11%Asia Pacific

20%Europe

15%Latin America

10%Middle East

35%North America

Top Industries Represented

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

22%

Financial

9%

Manufacturing

8%

Chem / Pharma / Bio

8%

Consumer Products

8%

Nonprofit Services

6%

High Technology

5%

Utilities / Telecom

4%

Communications

Top Industries Represented

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

22%

Financial

9%

Manufacturing

8%

Chem / Pharma / Bio

8%

Consumer Products

8%

Nonprofit Services

6%

High Technology

5%

Utilities / Telecom

4%

Communications

Experience

Experience

Years worked

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Participating Companies Have Included:

Accenture

Anglo American

Citibanamex

Intel

Deutsche Bank

Fidelity

Globo

Maersk Group

Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Samsung Electronics

Saudi Telecom

Verizon

Apply Download Brochure

More Admissions Information

Apply

Download Brochure

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Apply

Download Brochure

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Related Programs

Comprehensive Leadership Programs

Topic-Focused Programs

Regional Programs

Virtual Programs

Certificate of Management Excellence

Corporate Director Certificate

Digital Transformation Certificate

The Value

The Learning Experience

The Virtual Experience

Alumni Network

Admitted? Plan Your Stay

Insights

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Process

International Applicants

Payment, Cancellation, and Deferral

Already Admitted

Disruptive Innovation: Strategies for a Successful Enterprise

"Put simply, it's the most practical theoretical course you'll ever take."

"Put simply, it's the most practical theoretical course you'll ever take."

Program Founder, Clayton Christensen defines his "jobs-to-be-done" theory.

Program Founder, Clayton Christensen defines his "jobs-to-be-done" theory.

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industryCreate and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry Dropdown down

Drive innovationDrive innovation Dropdown down

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworksMake better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks Dropdown down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network Dropdown down

Key Benefits Dropdown up

Key Benefits Dropdown down

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry

Drive innovation

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend

Learning and Living at HBS

Learning and Living at HBS

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown up

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

What You Will Learn

Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

Disruption and your strategyDisruption and your strategy Dropdown down

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilitiesControlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities Dropdown down

Key Topics Dropdown up

Key Topics Dropdown down

Disruption and your strategy

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities

The HBS Advantage

The HBS Advantage

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

"Put simply, it's the most practical theoretical course you'll ever take."

"Put simply, it's the most practical theoretical course you'll ever take."

Program Founder, Clayton Christensen defines his "jobs-to-be-done" theory.

Program Founder, Clayton Christensen defines his "jobs-to-be-done" theory.

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry

Drive innovation Drive innovation

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Key Benefits

Key Benefits

Admissions Criteria and Process

Admissions Criteria and Process

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Disruption and your strategy Disruption and your strategy

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities

Key Topics

Key Topics