Concept · Product Management

Must-Have, Performance, Delighter

Origin: Kano categories

Biological Parallel

Salmon survival architecture reveals three thresholds: dissolved oxygen above 5mg/L (death below this), temperature between 12-18°C (optimal performance), and gravel beds with perfect flow rates (delighter enabling 90% vs 60% egg survival). Evolution ruthlessly eliminates organisms missing must-haves, selects for performance advantages in competition, and occasionally rewards delighters with explosive reproductive success—explaining why these categories universally structure both biological and market fitness.