What is Functional Obsolescence? (Everything you need to know)

Have you ever bought a new phone, just to have the old one seem obsolete within a few months? Or maybe you’ve replaced your TV, computer, or another electronic device because the old one couldn’t keep up with the latest software or trends.

If so, then you’re familiar with functional obsolescence – a term used to describe when a product is no longer useful due to changes in technology or function. But what causes functional obsolescence, and how can it be avoided?

Read on to find out!

What is Functional obsolescence?

Functional obsolescence is a design principle that can be used to make products and websites obsolete. This means that the product or website will no longer function correctly after a certain period.

It can also make the product or website difficult to use or outdated. Functional obsolescence is often used to encourage people to buy new products or upgrade to more recent versions. This can be done by making the old product or website incompatible with new technology, making it difficult to use, or by changing the design so that it is no longer appealing.

Functional obsolescence can be beneficial for businesses because it can help them sell more products and services. It can also help companies keep up with the latest technology and trends. However, functional obsolescence can also be harmful if not used correctly.

If people find that they cannot use their old product or website after a certain amount of time, they may become frustrated and stop using the product or service altogether. This can lead to lost customers and revenue. However, functional obsolescence can be a powerful tool to improve your website or product when used correctly.

It is essential to use this principle carefully not to cause frustration or lose customers.

What are the 3 types of obsolescence?

There are three types of obsolescence: Economic, Physical, and Functional obsolescence.

Economic obsolescence

Economic obsolescence is when a product or property becomes less valuable due to changes in the market. For example, if a new technology emerges that makes an existing product obsolete, the product will become economically obsolete. Alternatively, if a property is no longer in demand due to economic changes or demographic shifts, it may become economically obsolete.

Economic obsolescence can be difficult to avoid as it is often out of the control of the manufacturer or owner. However, some things can be done to minimize its effects. For example, manufacturers can keep their products up-to-date with the latest trends. Additionally, they can design versatile products and are not susceptible to changes in the market.

Physical obsolescence

Physical obsolescence is when a product or website is no longer physically able to function correctly. This can be due to wear and tear, change in technology, or change in design. When something becomes physically obsolete, it is often replaced by a newer or better product. Physical obsolescence can be harmful to businesses if they cannot keep up with the changes in the market. This can lead to lost customers and revenue.

Functional obsolescence

Functional obsolescence is when a product or website is no longer functional after a certain period. This can be due to changes in technology, making it difficult to use, or changing the design so that it is no longer appealing. The more recent technologies fall into functional obsolescence as market tastes and competition advance.

Functional obsolescence is often used to encourage people to buy new products or upgrade to more recent versions. This can be done by making the old product or website incompatible with new technology, making it difficult to use, or by changing the design so that it is no longer appealing.

What is external obsolescence?

External obsolescence is a type of functional obsolescence caused by external factors, such as new technologies or changes in fashion. For example, if a product can no longer keep up with the latest trends, it may become functionally obsolete. Alternatively, if a newer and better product becomes available on the market, consumers may no longer see the value in the older product, rendering it functionally obsolete.

External obsolescence can be difficult to avoid as it is often out of the control of the manufacturer or designer. However, some things can be done to minimize its effects. For example, manufacturers can keep their products up-to-date with the latest trends. Additionally, they can design timeless products and are not susceptible to changes in fashion.

What is functional obsolescence in real estate?

Functional obsolescence in the real estate industry is when a property becomes less functional over time due to changes in technology or design. For example, if a property was built before the advent of air conditioning, it would likely be considered functionally obsolete.

Alternatively, if a property was designed for an earlier generation, it may no longer meet the needs of the current market. Functional obsolescence can be difficult to avoid as it is often out of the property owner’s control.

However, some things can be done to minimize its effects. For example, property owners can keep their properties up-to-date with the latest trends. Additionally, they can design timeless properties and are not susceptible to changes in technology or design.

What is physical obsolescence in real estate?

Physical obsolescence in the real estate market is when a property becomes outdated or no longer meets the needs of the current market. This can be due to changes in technology, demographic shifts, or new zoning regulations. Property value loses when it becomes physically obsolete and may need to be demolished or redesigned.

Physical obsolescence can be difficult to avoid as it is often out of the property owner’s control. However, some things can be done to minimize its effects. For example, property owners can keep their properties up-to-date with the latest trends. Additionally, they can design timeless properties and are not susceptible to changes in technology or demographics.

What causes functional obsolescence?

There are many causes of functional obsolescence. The most common cause is a technology change. As new technologies are developed, older products and websites become incompatible and difficult to use. Additionally, changes in fashion can also lead to functional obsolescence.

When a product goes out of style, it often becomes less functional. Finally, external factors such as new laws or regulations can also cause a product to become functionally obsolete.

How to avoid functional obsolescence?

Functional obsolescence is often difficult to avoid, but there are a few things that manufacturers and property owners can do to prevent or minimize the effects of functional obsolescence.

Manufacturers can try to keep their products up-to-date with the latest trends, and they can design timeless and not susceptible to changes in fashion. Likewise, property owners can keep their properties up-to-date with the latest trends. As a result, they can design timeless properties and are not susceptible to changes in technology or demographics.

Additionally, both manufacturers and property owners should be aware of external factors that could lead to functional obsolescence, and they should take steps to avoid them if possible.

What are the different types of functional obsolescence?

There are three different types of functional obsolescence: Curable obsolescence, Incurable obsolescence, and Superadequacy.

Curable functional obsolescence

Curable obsolescence is when a product or website can be updated or upgraded to be compatible with new technology. For example, if a website is no longer compatible with the latest web browser version, it can be upgraded to become compatible again.

Incurable functional obsolescence

Incurable obsolescence is when a product or website cannot be updated or upgraded to be compatible with new technology. For example, if a website is built using outdated technology no longer supported, it would be considered incurable obsolescence.

Superadequacy

Superadequacy is when a product or website is designed so well that it exceeds the current needs of consumers. For example, if a website has features not yet needed by consumers but may be needed in the future, it would be considered super adequacy.

Examples of Functional Obsolescence

One example of functional obsolescence is a home with poor insulation. The house will be freezing in the winter, and the occupants will have to use more energy to heat it. This makes the homeless comfortable to live in and increases the cost of heating bills.

Another example of functional obsolescence is a car that gets poor gas mileage. A person who owns this car will have to spend more money on gas than someone who owns a car that gets better gas mileage.

Also, an example of functional obsolescence is a phone with short battery life. A person who has this phone will have to charge it more often than someone who has a phone with longer battery life.

Finally, Physical deterioration is a form of functional obsolescence. It refers to the loss in value of a real estate property because of the physical wear and tears on a structure. It may also describe the typical wear and tear that buildings suffer from as they age. The heating and cooling systems, for example, will eventually wear out.

Final Thoughts

Functional obsolescence is a principle in real estate that refers to when a property becomes outdated or no longer meets the needs of the current market. This can be due to changes in technology, design, or demographics.

Property owners can minimize the effects of functional obsolescence by keeping their properties up-to-date with the latest trends and timelessly designing them. There are three different types of functional obsolescence: curable, incurable, and super adequacy.

Functional obsolescence can be difficult to avoid as it is often out of the property owner’s control. However, by keeping up with the latest trends and being mindful of potential changes in technology or demographics, property owners can minimize the effects of functional obsolescence.

Thanks for reading!​​​​​​​