Business Model Frameworks

Design, visualize, and validate business models.

Quick Start

1. Choose framework - Based on your situation
2. Fill canvas - Use structured approach below
3. Validate - Test assumptions with customers
4. Iterate - Refine based on learning

Framework Selection

Situation	Use This
Existing business - understand or optimize current model	Business Model Canvas
Startup/New idea - validate quickly, test assumptions	Lean Canvas
Product-market fit - ensure value matches customer needs	Value Proposition Canvas
Innovation - transform existing business	Business Model Canvas + Blue Ocean

The Three Canvases

1. Business Model Canvas (BMC)

For established businesses or comprehensive business design.

Full details: references/business-model-canvas.md

┌─────────────┬────────────┬────────────┬────────────┬─────────────┐
│             │            │            │            │             │
│    Key      │    Key     │   Value    │  Customer  │   Customer  │
│  Partners   │ Activities │Proposition │Relationships│  Segments   │
│             │            │            │            │             │
│             ├────────────┤            ├────────────┤             │
│             │            │            │            │             │
│             │    Key     │            │  Channels  │             │
│             │ Resources  │            │            │             │
│             │            │            │            │             │
├─────────────┴────────────┴────────────┴────────────┴─────────────┤
│                          │                                        │
│       Cost Structure     │              Revenue Streams           │
│                          │                                        │
└──────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┘

2. Lean Canvas

For startups and new ventures - focus on problem/solution fit.

Full details: references/lean-canvas.md

┌─────────────┬────────────┬────────────┬────────────┬─────────────┐
│             │            │            │            │             │
│   Problem   │  Solution  │  Unique    │   Unfair   │  Customer   │
│   (Top 3)   │  (Top 3)   │   Value    │  Advantage │  Segments   │
│             │            │Proposition │            │             │
│             ├────────────┤            ├────────────┤             │
│             │            │            │            │             │
│             │    Key     │            │  Channels  │             │
│             │  Metrics   │            │            │             │
│             │            │            │            │             │
├─────────────┴────────────┴────────────┴────────────┴─────────────┤
│                          │                                        │
│       Cost Structure     │              Revenue Streams           │
│                          │                                        │
└──────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Value Proposition Canvas (VPC)

Zoom into Customer Segments + Value Proposition from BMC.

Full details: references/value-proposition-canvas.md

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                 │
│   VALUE MAP                         CUSTOMER PROFILE            │
│   ┌─────────────┐                   ┌─────────────┐            │
│   │   Products  │                   │    Gains    │            │
│   │  & Services │                   │             │            │
│   ├─────────────┤     FIT?          ├─────────────┤            │
│   │    Gain     │ ◄──────────────►  │    Jobs     │            │
│   │  Creators   │                   │  (To Be Done)│            │
│   ├─────────────┤                   ├─────────────┤            │
│   │    Pain     │                   │    Pains    │            │
│   │  Relievers  │                   │             │            │
│   └─────────────┘                   └─────────────┘            │
│                                                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Canvas Comparison

Aspect	Business Model Canvas	Lean Canvas	Value Proposition Canvas
Creator	Osterwalder & Pigneur	Ash Maurya	Osterwalder
Focus	Comprehensive business model	Problem-solution validation	Product-market fit
Best for	Established business	Startups, new ideas	Deep customer understanding
Unique blocks	Partners, Relationships	Problem, Unfair Advantage	Gains, Pains, Jobs
Time to fill	1-2 hours	20-30 minutes	30-60 minutes

Workflow Recommendation

For New Business Idea

1. Lean Canvas (20 min)
   ↓
2. Value Proposition Canvas (for top segment)
   ↓
3. Customer interviews (validate)
   ↓
4. Iterate Lean Canvas
   ↓
5. Business Model Canvas (when scaling)

For Existing Business Innovation

1. Business Model Canvas (current state)
   ↓
2. Value Proposition Canvas (problem areas)
   ↓
3. Lean Canvas (for new initiatives)
   ↓
4. Business Model Canvas (future state)

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Starting with solution	Start with customer problems
One customer segment	Be specific, narrow first
Vague value proposition	Use customer's words
Untested assumptions	Validate with real customers
Static canvas	Update regularly
Working alone	Collaborate, get diverse input

Output Template

When presenting canvas analysis:

## Business Model: [Name]

### Canvas Type: [BMC/Lean/VPC]

### Key Insights
1. [Most important finding]
2. [Second insight]
3. [Third insight]

### Riskiest Assumptions
1. [Assumption that could kill the business]
2. [Second risky assumption]

### Next Steps to Validate
- [ ] [Experiment 1]
- [ ] [Experiment 2]
- [ ] [Customer interview focus]

Related Skills

• /manage-business-strategy — Strategic context for business model
• /boost-intel — Mental models for business analysis
• /deep-research — Research market and competitors
• /generate-creative-ideas — Innovate business model components
• /triz — Resolve business model contradictions