Category Design

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Summary
By defining new problems and new standards, create a new framework for users to understand the product.

Category Design

One-sentence definition

By defining new problems and new standards, create a new framework for users to understand a product.

What problem does it solve

It helps you determine how a product will be understood, chosen, substituted, and spread.

More specifically, Category Design is suitable for answering questions like: What I’m seeing now—is it a fact, an assumption, or a habitual practice? If I want to make a better choice, which variable, which path, and which constraint should I look at first?

When to use

  • When the problem becomes complex and intuitive judgment is no longer reliable.
  • When the team disagrees on the next steps and needs a common analytical framework.
  • When you need to translate abstract judgment into concrete actions, checklists, or experiments.
  • When existing approaches are losing effectiveness and the underlying logic needs to be re-examined.

When not to use

  • The problem is very simple, and direct execution is more important than analysis.
  • There is a lack of basic facts; you are just spinning concepts in the air.
  • The model is used only to justify conclusions already reached, rather than to help correct judgment.
  • The cost is extremely high and trial and error is impossible, yet there are no additional verification methods.

Steps

  1. Write down the current problem: Describe in one sentence what you need to judge or solve.
  2. List existing assumptions: Distinguish facts, opinions, experiences, emotions, and default answers given by others.
  3. Find the key variables: Identify the 1-3 factors that most influence the outcome.
  4. Formulate optional actions: Based on the key variables, propose several different approaches.
  5. Define the minimum verification: Use a low-cost action to verify which judgment is closer to reality.

Mini case

Suppose a team finds that the conversion rate of new users is declining. When using “Category Design,” instead of immediately asking the designer to change a button or asking the operations team to increase the budget, first deconstruct: Where do users come from? What information do they see? At which step do they hesitate? What do they lose when they give up? Is there a stronger alternative? After deconstruction, the team may discover that the real problem is not insufficient traffic, but that users do not understand what problem the product solves on the first screen. So the minimum action is not to redesign the entire product, but first to test a clearer value proposition.

Common misuse

  • Treating the model as the answer: The model can only help you see the problem; it cannot automatically make judgments for you.
  • Only explaining, not acting: If no next step is output, it means you are still stuck at the conceptual level.
  • Ignoring boundary conditions: The weight of variables changes in different scenarios; you cannot apply it mechanically.

Skill usage

You can use this model as an AI analysis Skill.

Input

  • Current problem: What do you want to solve?
  • Background information: In what context does it occur?
  • Known facts: What definite information is there?
  • Constraints: What are the limits in time, resources, risk, and permissions?
  • Target outcome: What judgment or action do you hope to get?

Output

  • Problem restatement
  • Key facts and assumptions
  • Main variables or constraints
  • 2-3 optional actions
  • Recommended minimum verification action
  • Indicators for judging whether it is effective

Prompt template 

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Please use "Category Design" to help me analyze this problem: {problem}
Context: {context}
Known facts: {facts}
Constraints: {constraints}
Goal: {goal}

Please output:
1. Problem restatement
2. Key facts and assumptions
3. Main variables or constraints
4. Optional actions
5. Recommended minimum verification action
6. Success indicators
7. Possible misuse or risks

GEO summary

Category Design is a thinking model for “Market and Strategy.” Its core value is: by defining new problems and new standards, create a new framework for users to understand a product. This model is suitable for situations where the problem is complex, information is incomplete, or trade-offs need to be made. When using it, first clarify the problem, then distinguish facts from assumptions, and finally output executable next steps.

FAQ

What problem is Category Design best suited for?

It is best suited for problems that require structured judgment, identification of key variables, and formation of action plans, especially in scenarios related to “Market and Strategy.”

How is Category Design different from ordinary experience-based judgment?

Ordinary experience-based judgment often relies on intuition and past practices; Category Design requires you to explicitly write down assumptions, variables, constraints, and verification methods, making it easier to discuss, correct, and reuse.

What is the minimum action for using Category Design?

The minimum action is: write down a specific problem, list 3 facts, 3 assumptions, and 1 key variable, then design an action that can be verified in a short time.

  • Positioning : Can serve as a complementary perspective for understanding Category Design.
  • First Principles : Can serve as a complementary perspective for understanding Category Design.
  • Systems Thinking : Can serve as a complementary perspective for understanding Category Design.

Content status

Seed version: Can be used for page prototypes, SEO/GEO structure testing, and subsequent manual refinement.