Kohandamis

Kohandamis is the process of modifying a product, service, or environment to fit the needs or preferences of a particular user or context. In Estonian, it comes from the verb kohandama meaning to tailor or adjust. The term encompasses manual changes made by users and automatic adaptations implemented by systems.

Applications span technology and everyday life: software and IT systems with user-configurable dashboards or plugins; consumer electronics with customizable settings; manufacturing with configurable production lines; services offering personalized experiences such as recommendations or localized content.

Approaches include design for modularity and interoperability, open interfaces and APIs that enable extensions, user-driven configuration, and automatic adaptation based on data and context. Distinctions are sometimes drawn between kohandamis (customization chosen by users) and kohandamine or isikupärastamine (personalization, automatic adjustments).

Benefits include better fit between product and user needs, higher engagement, and competitive differentiation. Drawbacks can include higher cost, added complexity, maintenance overhead, and potential privacy or security concerns when collecting data to drive adaptation.

In research and industry discussions, kohandamis is viewed as part of broader trends toward user-centric design, modular architectures, and contextual computing.