competitive-analysis

# Competitive Landscape Mapping

---

## CRITICAL STANDARDS - APPLY TO EVERY ANALYSIS

### Source File Primacy

When source files (Excel/CSV) are provided:
* **Extract values DIRECTLY** — Do not perform your own calculations; use the numbers as they appear
* **Maintain consistency** — When the same metric appears in multiple places, ensure identical values throughout
* **Verify calculations** — If the prompt asks you to calculate something, verify your result matches related data in the source
* **Round only as shown** — Use the same decimal precision as the source file

### Prompt Fidelity

When the prompt specifies exact requirements, follow them verbatim:

**Slide Titles & Section Names:**
* If prompt says `"Overview and Competitive Scope" slide` — use EXACTLY that title, not a paraphrase
* If prompt says `within the "Segment Mix" section` — use EXACTLY "Segment Mix" as the section header
* Never substitute with creative alternatives (e.g., don't use "FY2024 Segment Contribution Analysis" when "Overview and Competitive Scope" was specified)

**Chart vs Table:**
* If prompt says `embedded chart` — create an actual PowerPoint chart object, NOT a table
* If prompt says `data labels must display` — these go on chart elements (bars, slices, lines), not table cells
* Tables and charts are NOT interchangeable — use exactly what's specified

**Complete Data Series:**
* If prompt lists 7 competitors, include ALL 7 — not 5 or 6
* If prompt shows data for years 2015-2025, include ALL years — not a subset
* If prompt specifies 6 series in a chart (Uber, Lyft, DiDi, Bolt, Grab, Gojek), include ALL 6 — not 4

**Exact Values & Phrasing:**
* If prompt says `Revenue: $43.98B (+18% YoY)` — display exactly that format
* If prompt says `surpasses DoorDash 4:1, Lyft 8:1` — use those exact ratios, not "7.6x Lyft"
* If prompt gives specific percentages (e.g., "Uber 30%, DiDi 35%"), use exactly those numbers

**When in doubt:** Re-read the prompt. If it specifies something explicitly, that's not a suggestion — it's a requirement.

### Reference Files

This skill includes reference files in the `references/` folder. Use them as follows:
* **`references/schemas.md`** — Table templates for M&A transactions, scenario analysis, and slide structure. Reference when building financial tables or investment scenarios.
* **`references/frameworks.md`** — 2x2 matrix axis pairs by industry. Reference when choosing positioning visualization dimensions.

### Source Quality Hierarchy

When sources conflict, prioritize in this order:
1. **10-Ks / Annual Reports** — Audited, highest reliability
2. **Earnings Calls / Investor Presentations** — Management commentary, forward guidance
3. **Sell-Side Research** — Analyst estimates, useful for private company sizing
4. **Industry Reports** (McKinsey, Gartner, etc.) — Market sizing, trends
5. **News Articles** — Use only for recent developments, verify against primary sources

### Data Comparability
* **Time periods must match** — All competitor metrics from same fiscal year. Flag exceptions: "(FY24)" vs "(H1 2024)"
* **Metric definitions must match** — Same calculation methodology across competitors
* **Currency normalization** — Convert all figures to USD for international comparisons; note exchange rate and date used
* **Use "-" for missing data** — Never leave cells blank; for private companies, use "N/A" or estimates with "[E]" flag
* **Cite every number** — Format: "[Company] [Document] ([Date])"
* **Source file fidelity** — When Excel/CSV files are provided, use values exactly as given; do not recalculate or round differently than shown

### Design & Formatting
* **Slide titles = insights** — "Scale leaders pulling away from niche players" not "Competitive Analysis"
* **Slide titles must fit** — One or two lines fine, but no overflow; reduce font size if needed (min 24pt)
* **Signposts = quantified** — "margin below 40%" not "margins decline"
* **Ratings include actuals** — "●●● $160B" not just "●●●"
* **Slide numbers required** — Every slide must have a page number

### Presentation-Specific Requirements
* **Actual embedded charts required** — Pie charts, bar charts, and line graphs must be real PowerPoint chart objects (created via pptx skill), NOT text/ASCII representations
* **Match prompt structure** — If prompt specifies slide structure, follow it
* **Competitor tables** — For comprehensive analysis: metrics table + qualitative table per competitor. For rapid assessments: single combined table is acceptable.
* **Segment financials** — Include both Revenue AND EBITDA when available. For private competitors or limited disclosure, revenue-only tables are acceptable; note "[EBITDA not disclosed]"

### Visual Reference

**Match professional presentation quality:**

**Spacing & Overflow Prevention:**
- **Title-to-content gap** — Minimum 0.4" between slide title bottom and first content element
- **Section header gaps** — Minimum 0.25" between section headers and content below
- **Element buffers** — Minimum 0.2" between any two elements (tables, text boxes, charts)
- **Margin safety** — Keep all content at least 0.5" from slide edges
- **Text overflow** — If text doesn't fit, reduce font size or split across slides; never let text clip or overlap

**Slide Titles:**
- **Must fit within slide width** — One or two lines is fine, but text must not overflow or clip
- **If title is too long** — Shorten wording or reduce font size (minimum 24pt)
- **Front-load the insight** — Put the key point first, details second

**Chart Formatting:**
- **Legend inside layout** — Always set `include_in_layout=True` so legends don't overlap chart area
- **Legend position** — Use RIGHT for pie charts (≤6 items), BOTTOM for line/bar charts (≤4 series)
- **Too many series** — If >6 series, consider splitting into multiple charts or using a table instead
- **Data labels** — For pie charts, show percentages on slices rather than relying solely on legend

**Typography (set explicitly, never use default