Sensory Descriptive Analysis and The A⁵daptive Profile Method^®

With a clear understanding of how products
look, taste (or smell) and feel like,
relevant and successful product technical and business decisions are made
A. Muñoz

In Sensory Evaluation, Descriptive Analysis is the complex discriminative sensory method used to characterize the sensory properties of products and materials by a trained sensory panel.

The product characterization is completed at two levels:

•  Qualitative
  (providing information on attributes, terms, lexicon), and
  
•  Quantitative
  (providing information on intensities/strengths of attributes)

IRIS: International Resources for Insights and Solutions, LLC (IRIS) is an internationally recognized authority in descriptive analysis and panel training.  With over 30 years of experience and having designed and implemented numerous and diverse sensory and descriptive programs, IRIS works with its clients to establish best-in-class sensory descriptive panel training programs

Based on extensive years of experience in descriptive analysis, IRIS developed the sensory descriptive method

a qualitatively and quantitatively technically strong descriptive method.

The A⁵daptive Profile Method® was developed to offer solutions to issues encountered with traditional descriptive practices.  Its philosophy is to ADAPT/ custom-tailor traditional descriptive approaches to

• be aligned with the philosophy and meet the specific needs/objectives of the company,
• provide the optimal tools for the most effective evaluation of the products of interest
  (every product category is unique and techniques should be adapted to the products of interest and their characteristics)
• supply reliable and comprehensive product information 

The main goals of the A⁵daptive Profile Method® are:

• to provide the most comprehensive qualitative and quantitative technical descriptive profile information
• to determine the best scope of the descriptive program being implemented and unique to each company, and adapt/ determine the best program parameters to meet the company’s needs and objectives.QUALITATIVELY:
  DETERMINING THE BEST TYPE OF LEXICON FOR THE COMPANY OR PRODUCT SETS
  (i.e., comprehensive vs. focused, singular vs. integrative. etc.)QUANTITATIVELY
  DETERMINING THE BEST SCALING APPROACH AND INTENSITY SCALES/ANCHORS FOR THE COMPANY/PROGRAM
  • selection of the scaling approach/philosophy that best fits the company’s philosophy and  provides the most reliable and useful descriptive information
  • selection of scale characteristics
  • selection and adaptation of range of quantitative/intensity scales and anchors
  • decisions on product references used as anchors 

• To focus on all sensory characteristics perceived through the five senses (A⁵) relevant to the product and of interest to the users

Contact us for more details on descriptive programs and sensory panel trainings, 
or to explore how to implement the
The A⁵daptive Profile Method®
or elements of this descriptive method in your existing descriptive program.

Navigate through this section to learn more specifics on IRIS’ descriptive services and the applications of The A⁵daptive Profile Method®