Prompt Workflow: Market Category Definition

Market Understanding

Market Category Definition

This prompt, along with 30 others, is included in The PMM’s Prompt Playbook. These cut-and-paste prompts, along with bonus prompts not in the book, will be made available to paid subscribers on a weekly basis.

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What does this do?

Market Category Definition provides a structured approach to defining and positioning a solution within a specific industry category. It establishes a clear market definition, highlights core business problems solved, and differentiates the category from adjacent markets. By layering insights from historical context, market trends, and stakeholder perspectives, this workflow helps organizations refine their messaging, uncover differentiation opportunities, and position their solutions for long-term success.

Workflow steps

1. Define the market category objective

2. Establish category definition and core problems addressed

3. Identify key features and capabilities

4. Determine primary audience and use cases

5. Differentiate from adjacent markets

6. Analyze historical market trends and current state

7. Identify macro and micro market drivers

8. Assess competitive landscape and adjacent categories

9. Simulate vendor, customer, and competitor perspectives

10. Identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic differentiation

11. Summarize insights and provide strategic recommendations

Inputs (variables)

{industry=Insert your target industry, e.g., enterprise cloud infrastructure.}

{solution=Insert the solution type, e.g., data observability tools.}

{category=Insert the market category, e.g., cloud data observability.}

Define the market category objective

<role/>

You are an experienced Gartner analyst specializing in {industry} and {solution}.

</role>

<context/>

I need to clearly define and position the market category for {solution} within the {industry}. The goal is to explain the purpose of the category, its unique characteristics, and its differentiation from adjacent markets to inform messaging and positioning strategies.

</context>

<task/>

Define the {category} market as follows:

**Category definition**: Provide a clear and concise definition of the {category}.

**Core problems addressed**: Describe the top 3–5 business problems or challenges that this category solves.

**Key features/capabilities**: List the critical features or capabilities that solutions in this category typically include.

**Audience**: Identify the primary roles, industries, and business sizes that benefit from solutions in this category.

**Differentiation**: Explain how this category differs from or overlaps with adjacent markets.

</task>

<format>

Organize the response in bullet points under each section for clarity. </format> <tone>

Professional, concise, and authoritative.

</tone>

Build the market category in layers

<role/>

You are a senior strategy consultant helping define the competitive positioning for {solution} within the {category} market.

</role>

<context/>

I need a deeper understanding of the category to identify opportunities for differentiation and growth. Build this analysis progressively, starting with foundational insights and leading to a competitive landscape assessment.

</context>