What is a Business Model Canvas?

What is a Business Model Canvas?

 

The Business Model Canvas

The business model canvas is a tool to help you understand a business model in a straightforward, structured way. Using this canvas will lead to insights about the customers you serve, what value propositions are offered through what channels, and how your company makes money. You can also use the business model canvas to understand your own business model or that of a competitor! The Business Model Canvas was created by Alexander Osterwalder, of Strategyzer.

The Business Model Canvas can be used for a variety of reasons in existing businesses  – see Osterwalder’s description of 14 Ways to use the Business Model Canvas for inspiration.

If you have a new business idea that could be viewed as disruptive of has a lot of uncertainty involved then you might want to look at the Lean Canvas which Ash Mauyra has adapted from the BMC for use in “startup businesses”. See his post on Lean Canvas vs Business Model Canvas.