Booz allen & hamilton 1982 classification of new products
A classic!
The 1982 Booz Allen & Hamilton classification of new products is a well-known framework in the field of innovation and product development. It categorizes new products into four types based on their level of innovation and the degree to which they depart from existing products. The classification is as follows:
- Incremental Innovations: These are small improvements to existing products or processes. They build upon existing knowledge and technology, and are often incremental changes to existing products or services. Examples might include upgrading a product's features, improving its performance, or reducing its cost.
- Modular Innovations: These are new products or services that are built around a core technology or concept, but are still based on existing knowledge and expertise. Modular innovations often involve combining existing technologies in new ways or applying existing technologies to new markets or applications. Examples might include a new smartphone app that builds upon existing mobile technology or a new type of solar panel that uses existing photovoltaic technology.
- Platform Innovations: These are new products or services that create a new foundation or platform for future innovations. Platform innovations often involve significant changes to existing technologies or business models, and can create new markets or opportunities. Examples might include the development of the internet, the creation of the personal computer, or the introduction of the smartphone.
- Breakthrough Innovations: These are revolutionary new products or services that create entirely new markets, industries, or ways of doing things. Breakthrough innovations often involve significant advances in science, technology, or engineering, and can have a profound impact on society. Examples might include the development of the microprocessor, the creation of the first commercial airliner, or the introduction of the polio vaccine.
This classification framework has been widely used in industry and academia to understand and categorize new products and innovations. It provides a useful way to think about the different types of innovations that can occur and the potential impact they can have on businesses, industries, and society as a whole.