At a glance: The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management tool for visualizing and developing business models. It divides every business model into nine building blocks – from Value Proposition to Revenue Streams and Customer Relationships.
Table of Contents
Definition
The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a framework developed by Alexander Osterwalder for the structured representation of a business model on a single page. It enables teams to capture all essential aspects of a company – from value creation to cost structure – at a glance and systematically develop them further.
The 9 Building Blocks of the Business Model Canvas
The Canvas divides every business model into nine central fields:
- Value Propositions – What unique benefits do you offer your customers?
- Customer Segments – For whom do you create value? Which target groups do you serve?
- Channels – How do you reach your customers? Which touchpoints do you use?
- Customer Relationships – What kind of relationship does each customer segment expect?
- Revenue Streams – What do your customers pay for? Which pricing model do you use?
- Key Resources – Which assets are indispensable for your business model?
- Key Activities – Which processes are critical for success?
- Key Partnerships – Who are your most important partners and suppliers?
- Cost Structure – What costs arise and what are the biggest cost drivers?
Practical Application
The Business Model Canvas is used in various contexts:
- Business Model Innovation – Questioning existing models and developing new variants
- Startup Foundation – Structurally validating business ideas before investing
- Strategic Planning – Aligning teams on a common understanding of the business model
- Innovation Workshops – As a central working tool for collaborative idea development
- Competitive Analysis – Systematically comparing competitors’ business models
At Point of New, we use the Business Model Canvas as a central tool in our innovation workshops. It forms the basis for systematic business model innovation.
Benefits for SMEs
- Simplicity – Complex business models are reduced to one page
- Teamwork – Creating a common understanding within the management team
- Rapid Iteration – Changes and variants can be quickly simulated
- Holistic View – All nine dimensions are considered simultaneously
- Communication – Ideal for investor presentations and pitch decks
Business Model Canvas vs. Lean Canvas
While the Business Model Canvas is designed for established companies and comprehensive business model analysis, the Lean Canvas (by Ash Maurya) focuses more on problem-solving and rapid validation – ideal for startups and early business ideas.
Both frameworks complement each other: the BMC for strategic overall analysis, the Lean Canvas for rapid hypothesis testing with MVP approaches.
How to Use the Business Model Canvas
- As-is Analysis – Document the current business model on the Canvas
- Identify Weaknesses – Which building blocks have the greatest potential for improvement?
- Develop Alternatives – Use business model patterns as inspiration
- Prioritize – Select the most promising variants
- Test – Validate hypotheses with an MVP in the market
Book a Business Model Canvas Workshop?
Point of New conducts practice-oriented workshops using the Business Model Canvas – for SMEs that want to systematically develop their business model further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Business Model Canvas?
The Business Model Canvas is a strategic framework by Alexander Osterwalder that breaks down a business model into nine building blocks and visualizes them on a single page. It helps companies understand, communicate, and systematically develop their business logic.
Who is the Business Model Canvas suitable for?
The BMC is suitable for companies of all sizes: from startups defining their first business model to established SMEs looking to innovate their existing model. It is particularly valuable in innovation workshops and strategic planning processes.
What is the difference between Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas?
The Business Model Canvas offers comprehensive business model analysis with a focus on partnerships and resources. The Lean Canvas replaces some fields with problem, solution, and unfair advantage – ideal for the early validation phase of startups.
How long does a Business Model Canvas workshop take?
An intensive BMC workshop typically lasts half to a full day. For a complete business model innovation, we recommend a multi-stage process over 2-4 workshops.