You actually can use 3 different techniques:
Family Table
Simplified Rep
Or Flexible Components
All of them work similarly, SUPPRESSING features, parameters, varying dimensions.
Family Tables ideally with parts with FIXED variables & parameters such as screws.
Part Simplified Reps might work best when parts go thru processes like EP, or Shape setting & you don't want the headache of each item in PDM.
Flexible components are exactly what you would think - Flexible, with parameters that could use an infinite value.
I use all of them. I encourage an investigation into each & how you could leverage each.
Family Tables are old hat most people understand them. Simplfied Reps work much like Families.
You have to remember that features are hierarchichal, history based.
~CP Hendsbee