# Market Research Step 5: Competitive Analysis

<purpose>
Conduct competitive landscape analysis identifying key market players, market share distribution, competitive positioning strategies, competitive strengths/weaknesses, market differentiation opportunities, and competitive threats using verified web search data.
</purpose>

<instructions>
1. Execute web searches for key market players, market share, competitive positioning, and threats
2. Analyze and aggregate competitive findings
3. Generate competitive analysis content with seven subsections (Key Players, Market Share, Competitive Positioning, Strengths/Weaknesses, Market Differentiation, Competitive Threats, Opportunities)
4. Include source citations for all competitive data
5. Write content immediately to document
6. Present [C] complete option after content generation (final step)
7. Update frontmatter stepsCompleted to [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] before completing workflow
</instructions>

<output>
Competitive analysis sections containing:
- Key market players and market share data with source citations
- Market share analysis and competitive positioning with source citations
- Competitive positioning strategies with source citations
- Strengths and weaknesses assessment with source citations
- Market differentiation opportunities with source citations
- Competitive threats and challenges with source citations
- Competitive opportunities analysis with source citations
- All content appended to research document
</output>

## MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

- 🛑 NEVER generate content without web search verification

- 📖 CRITICAL: ALWAYS read the complete step file before taking any action - partial understanding leads to incomplete decisions
- 🔄 CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure the entire file is read and understood before proceeding
- ✅ Search the web to verify and supplement your knowledge with current facts
- 📋 YOU ARE A COMPETITIVE ANALYST, not content generator
- 💬 FOCUS on competitive landscape and market positioning
- 🔍 WEB SEARCH REQUIRED - verify current facts against live sources
- ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config `{communication_language}`

## EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

- 🎯 Show web search analysis before presenting findings
- ⚠️ Present [C] complete option after competitive analysis content generation
- 💾 ONLY save when user chooses C (Complete)
- 📖 Update frontmatter `stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]` before completing workflow
- 🚫 FORBIDDEN to complete workflow until C is selected

## CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:

- Current document and frontmatter from previous steps are available
- Focus on competitive landscape and market positioning analysis
- Web search capabilities with source verification are enabled
- May need to search for specific competitor information

## YOUR TASK:

Conduct comprehensive competitive analysis with emphasis on market positioning.

## COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS SEQUENCE:

### 1. Begin Competitive Analysis

Start with competitive research approach:
"Now I'll conduct **competitive analysis** to understand the competitive landscape.

**Competitive Analysis Focus:**

- Key players and market share
- Competitive positioning strategies
- Strengths and weaknesses analysis
- Market differentiation opportunities
- Competitive threats and challenges

**Let me search for current competitive information.**"

### 2. Generate Competitive Analysis Content

Prepare competitive analysis with web search citations:

#### Content Structure:

When saving to document, append these Level 2 and Level 3 sections:

```markdown
## Competitive Landscape

### Key Market Players

[Key players analysis with market share data]
_Source: [URL]_

### Market Share Analysis

[Market share analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_

### Competitive Positioning

[Positioning analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_

### Strengths and Weaknesses

[SWOT analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_

### Market Differentiation

[Differentiation analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_

### Competitive Threats

[Threats analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_

### Opportunities

[Competitive opportunities analysis with source citations]
_Source: [URL]_
```

### 3. Present Analysis and Complete Option

Show the generated competitive analysis and present complete option:
"I've completed the **competitive analysis** for the competitive landscape.

**Key Competitive Findings:**

- Key market players and market share identified
- Competitive positioning strategies mapped
- Strengths and weaknesses thoroughly analyzed
- Market differentiation opportunities identified
- Competitive threats and challenges documented

**Ready to complete the market research?**
[C] Complete Research - Save final document and conclude

### 4. Handle Complete Selection

#### If 'C' (Complete Research):

- Append the final content to the research document
- Update frontmatter: `stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3]`
- Complete the market research workflow

## APPEND TO DOCUMENT:

When user selects 'C', append the content directly to the research document using the structure from step 2.

## SUCCESS METRICS:

✅ Key market players identified
✅ Market share analysis completed with source verification
✅ Competitive positioning strategies clearly mapped
✅ Strengths and weaknesses thoroughly analyzed
✅ Market differentiation opportunities identified
✅ [C] complete option presented and handled correctly
✅ Content properly appended to document when C selected
✅ Market research workflow completed successfully

## FAILURE MODES:

❌ Relying solely on training data without web verification for current facts

❌ Missing key market players or market share data
❌ Incomplete competitive positioning analysis
❌ Not identifying market differentiation opportunities
❌ Not presenting completion option for research workflow
❌ Appending content without user selecting 'C'

❌ **CRITICAL**: Reading only partial step file - leads to incomplete understanding and poor decisions
❌ **CRITICAL**: Proceeding with 'C' without fully reading and understanding the next step file
❌ **CRITICAL**: Making decisions without complete understanding of step requirements and protocols

## COMPETITIVE RESEARCH PROTOCOLS:

- Search for industry reports and competitive intelligence
- Use competitor company websites and annual reports
- Research market research firm competitive analyses
- Note competitive advantages and disadvantages
- Search for recent market developments and disruptions

## MARKET RESEARCH COMPLETION:

When 'C' is selected:

- All market research steps completed
- Comprehensive market research document generated
- All sections appended with source citations
- Market research workflow status updated
- Final recommendations provided to user

## NEXT STEPS:

Market research workflow complete. User may:

- Use market research to inform product development strategies
- Conduct additional competitive research on specific companies
- Combine market research with other research types for comprehensive insights

Congratulations on completing comprehensive market research! 🎉
