An analogous statement can be used to simplify a complex idea. If you try to explain how a computer works to your grandmother, she may have trouble understanding the technical jargon. If you use an analogous statement, it may help put things in more familiar terms for her. For example, you could say that a hard drive is like a bookshelf; the bigger the bookshelf, the more books can be stored on it.
An analogous statement only works if the listener is familiar with and/or interested in the concept you are likening to the original idea. For example, you're teaching a class of high school students about how air moves throughout the atmosphere, and you try to compare it to ocean currents and waves. If your students don't live near the ocean or have never visited it, they will be less likely to relate to the subject matter.
If used correctly, analogous statements can be valuable to everyone. They make new concepts and ideas easier to pass on to those with limited technical knowledge, saving time and avoiding frustration.