Ansoff matrix – product market grid – Management theory & model
Introduction to the Ansoff matrix
Igor Ansoff, known as the father of strategic management, was a mathematician and business manager. In the 1950s his work was developed and eventually published providing managers and the marketing world with a simple, practical tool that is in use 50 years later.
In essence the Ansoff product/ market matrix is a tool that helps businesses decide their product and market growth strategy.
Ansoff’s product/ market matrix suggests that a business’ attempts to grow depend on whether it markets new or existing products in new or existing markets.
The traditional four box grid or matrix Ansoff model
A revised version of the Ansoff matrix featuring a 3×3 or nine box grid or matrix.
History – The Product / Market Matrix
Igor Ansoff created the Product / Market diagram in 1957 as a method to classify options for business expansion. The simplisity of this model is that the four strategic options defined can be generically applied to any industry.
This well known marketing tool was first published in the Harvard Business Review (1957) in an article called ‘Strategies for Diversification’. It was consequently published in Ansoff’s book on “Corporate Strategy” in 1965.
About the Ansoff Matrix
It is used by marketers who have objectives for growth. Igor Ansoff’s matrix offers strategic choices to achieve the objectives. There are four main categories for selection.
- Market Penetration
- Market Development
- Product Development
- Business Diversification
The four main categories
Market Penetration (existing markets, existing products):
Here we market our existing products to our existing customers. This means increasing our revenue by, for example, promoting the product, repositioning the brand, and so on. However, the product is not altered and we do not seek any new customers.
Market penetration seeks to achieve four main objectives:
- Maintain or increase the market share of current products – this can be achieved by a combination of competitive pricing strategies, advertising, sales promotion and perhaps more resources dedicated to personal selling
- Secure dominance of growth markets
- Restructure a mature market by driving out competitors; this would require a much more aggressive promotional campaign, supported by a pricing strategy designed to make the market unattractive for competitors
- Increase usage by existing customers. For example by introducing loyalty schemes.
Market Development (new markets, existing products):
Here we market our existing product range in a new market. This means that the product remains the same, but it is marketed to a new audience. Exporting the product, or marketing it in a new region, are examples of market development.
Market development is the name given to a growth strategy where the business seeks to sell its existing products into new markets.
There are many possible ways of approaching this strategy, including:
- New geographical markets; for example exporting the product to a new country
- New product dimensions or packaging: for example
- New distribution channels
- Different pricing policies to attract different customers or create new market segments
This is a new product to be marketed to our existing customers. Here we develop and innovate new product offerings to replace existing ones. Such products are then marketed to our existing customers. This often happens with the auto markets where existing models are updated or replaced and then marketed to existing customers.
Business Diversification (new markets, new products):
This is where we market completely new products to new customers. There are two types of diversification, namely related and unrelated diversification. Related diversification means that we remain in a market or industry with which we are familiar.
The diversification can be divided again into horizontal, vertical and lateral diversification.
- The horizontal diversification is the extension of the production programme.
- The vertical diversification is the sales stage stored by products pre order.
- The lateral diversification is the sales of completely new products, which within the range of the technology and marketing in no connection.
‘Analysing and planning to meet customer needs and expectations’
Facts that are worth considering include:
- What strategy is your Organisation/your Dept. implementing now for it’s products/services – you will need to place products/services in an appropriate quadrant?
- Is this the right strategy in terms of meeting customer needs and expectations?
- Is implementation effective?
References
Ansoff, I., Strategies for Diversification, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 35 Issue 5, Sep-Oct 1957, pp.113-124
Other useful pages include
Porter Five Forces – PESTLE Analysis – SWOT Analysis – Critical Success Factors – SMARTer Objectives – Key Performance Indicators -
Diversification is an inherently higher risk strategy because the business is moving into markets in which it has little or no experience.
For a business to adopt a diversification strategy, it must have a clear idea about what it expects to gain from the strategy and a transparent and honest assessment of the risks.
RapidBI is an organizational effectiveness consultancy based in the UK but working internationally.
© RapidBI & Mike Morrison 2011 - this article/ page is free to copy and use on the condition that an active link back and reference is made to this site and page. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
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7 Responses to “Ansoff matrix – product market grid – Management theory & model”
Comment from wande
Time May 8, 2009 at 07:50
very good article.really explained it to me as my understanding, prior to this time, was vague.thank you
Comment from Orim
Time May 16, 2009 at 17:35
Thanks for the explanation, really useful.
Comment from rapidbi
Time May 16, 2009 at 17:58
Hi
We have found that many people were downloading our graphics – so we now offer these in a clear PPT file for purchase at £9.99 (unbranded)
The ‘watermark’ on the graphics is intentional.
See http://rapidbi.com/products/#100ManagementLeadershipCoachingModelsinPPTformat for details
Mike
Comment from Anonymous
Time January 29, 2010 at 03:24
Ansoff matrix – product market grid – Management theory & model http://rapidbi.com/management/ansoff-matrix-product-market-grid/
Comment from kemi
Time March 5, 2010 at 10:09
Thank you so much.
This has proved really helpful.
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