Cohort Analysis
Definition
A method of segmenting customers into groups based on shared characteristics or time of acquisition, then tracking their behaviour and value over time. Cohort analysis is essential for understanding customer lifetime value trends, retention dynamics, and the true unit economics of growth-stage businesses.
Complementary Terms
Concepts that frequently appear alongside Cohort Analysis in practice.
A method of tracking the behaviour of groups of customers (cohorts) who share a common characteristic — typically their acquisition date — over time. Cohort retention analysis reveals whether product improvements are genuinely improving customer retention by isolating the performance of each intake group, and is essential for forecasting lifetime value and revenue trajectory in subscription businesses.
A valuation and risk assessment technique that evaluates potential outcomes by modelling different sets of assumptions about key variables such as growth rates, margins, and discount rates. Scenario analysis is essential for intangible asset valuation because the future cash flows attributable to intangible assets are inherently uncertain.
A financial analysis used in M&A to determine whether a proposed acquisition will increase (accrete) or decrease (dilute) the acquirer's earnings per share. This analysis is particularly sensitive to how acquired intangible assets are valued and amortised post-transaction.
A valuation technique that applies financial options pricing theory to evaluate the flexibility embedded in strategic investments, such as the option to expand, delay, or abandon a project. Real options analysis is particularly valuable for intangible-intensive investments where uncertainty is high and future decision points create significant embedded value.
A legal assessment that determines whether a product, process, or technology can be commercialised without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. FTO analysis involves searching and reviewing granted patents and pending applications in relevant jurisdictions to identify potential infringement risks.
The level of revenue at which total costs equal total income, resulting in neither profit nor loss. For growth businesses, understanding break-even informs decisions about pricing, unit economics, and the capital required to reach profitability.
A productivity measurement technique that compares a firm's or sector's performance against the theoretical maximum output achievable with given inputs. Frontier analysis methods, including data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis, reveal inefficiencies and quantify the productivity gap attributable to underinvestment in intangible assets.
A unit of measurement that represents the workload of one full-time employee, used to standardise headcount across different working arrangements. FTE counts are essential denominators in productivity metrics such as revenue per employee and output per worker, enabling meaningful comparisons across firms and over time.
Related FAQ
How do you achieve and measure product-market fit?
Product-market fit is achieved when a product satisfies strong market demand — measured by retention rates, organic growth, the Sean Ellis survey (40%+ 'very disappointed'), and customers actively recommending the product.
Read full answer →Can I export my Opagio valuation for use in external documents?
Yes, in part. Report Studio produces a downloadable PDF report, and the Asset Valuator exports a side-by-side comparison of saved scenarios as a CSV file. Neither is a signed valuation.
Read full answer →What is a sensitivity analysis in intangible asset valuation?
Sensitivity analysis tests how changes in key assumptions (discount rate, growth rate, attrition rate, royalty rate) affect the intangible asset's fair value, identifying which inputs have the greatest impact.
Read full answer →Put this knowledge to work
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