Business Model Canvas
Visualizes the 9 core building blocks of a business model – from customer segments to revenue streams.
PURPOSE
The Business Model Canvas is used to holistically understand, analyze, and evolve a business model. It helps teams and founders capture all relevant aspects of a business model at a glance and make the connections between individual building blocks visible. This way, weaknesses can be identified and new business ideas can be thought through in a structured manner.
HOW TO USE
Print or draw the canvas in large format and work with sticky notes in the nine fields. Start with customer segments and work your way through value propositions, channels, customer relationships, and revenue streams to key resources, key activities, key partners, and cost structure. Use the canvas in a workshop format with the entire team to incorporate different perspectives and refine iteratively.
WHAT IT IS
The Business Model Canvas is a visual strategy tool developed by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. It consists of nine building blocks: Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partners, and Cost Structure. The one-page format makes it possible to clearly present complex business models and use them as a shared basis for discussion.
EXAMPLE
Example: You are planning a new SaaS product and use the Business Model Canvas to visualize the nine building blocks – from customer segments through value propositions to cost structure – on a large poster with sticky notes. This way, you immediately see where gaps remain in your business model and which assumptions you need to validate first.