Group Alternatives into Categories

Once you have a list of your Competitive Alternatives, it's helpful to group them into categories. This will help you to see the bigger picture and simplify the next steps in the positioning process.

For example, you might have a list of alternatives that includes "hire an intern," "do it myself with Excel," and "use a different software tool." You could group these into two categories:

Do it manually:
- Hire an intern
- Do it myself with Excel
Use a different software tool:
- [List of specific software tools]

Grouping your alternatives in this way has several benefits:

It simplifies the competitive landscape: Instead of thinking about a long list of individual competitors, you can think about a smaller number of categories.
It clarifies your positioning: It helps you to see how your product is different from each category of alternative.
It makes it easier to communicate your value: You can tailor your messaging to address the specific pain points of each category.

By grouping your alternatives into categories, you can create a more structured and strategic approach to your positioning.

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