Which of the following describes the characteristic of a 'Must-be' requirement in Kano analysis?

In Kano analysis, 'Must-be' requirements are fundamental attributes that customers expect as a baseline for satisfaction. They are the essential features that need to be present for a product or service to be considered acceptable. If these requirements are not met, customers will be dissatisfied, but their presence does not lead to increased satisfaction.

Understanding this concept is crucial for product development and service management because it emphasizes that while these features may not be explicitly stated by customers, they are assumed to be part of the offering. For instance, if you were buying a car, you would expect it to have brakes; their absence would lead to significant dissatisfaction, but their presence would not necessarily enhance your satisfaction.

The other options describe different characteristics of requirements categorized as either performance or excitement attributes. Performance attributes lead to satisfaction as they exceed basic expectations, while excitement attributes are those that delight customers beyond their basic needs. Thus, focusing on 'Must-be' requirements is essential for meeting minimum customer expectations and avoiding dissatisfaction.