competitive-analysis

Language: Respond in the user's language. If unclear, default to the language of the user's message.

Competitive Analysis

Conducts structured competitive analysis by researching competitor products, services, and strategies, then generating actionable comparison reports.

Workflow

Phase 1: Scope Definition

Clarify the analysis scope with the user:

1. Target company/product: What is being analyzed?
2. Competitors: Known competitors to include (or discover via research)
3. Analysis dimensions: Which comparison axes matter most?
4. Purpose: Investment decision, product strategy, market entry, etc.

Phase 2: Research

Use web search to gather information on each competitor across the following dimensions:

Dimension	Key Data Points
Product/Service	Core features, platform, technology stack, integrations
Pricing	Pricing model (subscription/usage/license), tiers, free tier, enterprise pricing
Target Customers	Industry verticals, company size, use cases, notable customers
Market Position	Market share, growth rate, funding/revenue, geographic presence
Differentiation	Unique selling points, moats, patents, ecosystem lock-in
Weaknesses	Known limitations, customer complaints, missing features
Go-to-Market	Sales model (self-serve/enterprise), partnerships, channel strategy

Phase 3: Analysis Frameworks

Apply one or more frameworks depending on the analysis purpose:

Feature Comparison Matrix

| Feature          | Company A | Company B | Company C |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Feature 1        | Yes       | Partial   | No        |
| Feature 2        | No        | Yes       | Yes       |
| Pricing (entry)  | $X/mo     | $Y/mo     | Free      |
| Target segment   | Enterprise| SMB       | Developer |

Strategic Group Mapping

Plot competitors on 2 axes relevant to the market (e.g., price vs. feature breadth, ease-of-use vs. customizability).

SWOT per Competitor

For each competitor, identify:

• Strengths: What they do best
• Weaknesses: Where they fall short
• Opportunities: Market gaps they could exploit
• Threats: Risks to their position

Porter's Five Forces (Market-Level)

When analyzing the competitive landscape as a whole, assess:

• Rivalry intensity among existing players
• Threat of new entrants
• Substitute products/services
• Supplier bargaining power
• Buyer bargaining power

Phase 4: Deliverable Generation

Standard Deliverable Structure

# Competitive Analysis: [Topic]

## Executive Summary
- Key findings (3-5 bullet points)
- Recommended positioning

## Market Overview
- Market definition and scope
- Key trends and dynamics

## Competitor Profiles
### [Competitor 1]
- Overview, product, pricing, strengths, weaknesses

### [Competitor 2]
...

## Comparison Matrix
(Feature/pricing/capability comparison table)

## Strategic Implications
- White spaces and opportunities
- Threats and risks
- Recommended actions

## Sources
- List of sources with URLs and access dates

Research Guidelines

1. Source quality: Prioritize official websites, analyst reports, press releases, and credible tech publications
2. Recency: Note the date of each data point; flag information older than 12 months
3. Verification: Cross-reference pricing and feature claims across multiple sources
4. Objectivity: Present facts and data, not opinions; clearly label any inferences
5. Gaps: Explicitly note when information is unavailable or unverifiable

Output Formats

Format	When to Use
Comparison Matrix	Quick feature/pricing comparison for decision-making
Full Report	Comprehensive analysis for strategic planning
Executive Brief	1-page summary for leadership review
Battle Card	Sales-oriented competitive positioning per competitor

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

• Relying on outdated information without noting the date
• Comparing on dimensions irrelevant to the user's decision
• Ignoring indirect competitors or substitute products
• Presenting speculation as fact
• Omitting sources