I recently stumbled upon a video by Nick Himowicz in which he reviewed and rated a set of business model canvases (BMC). Nick is an expert in BMC and has worked with it for a long time (over a decade).

What is often forgotten is that the BMC is an instrument, not just a canvas to fill in once. A BMC should evolve continuously, especially during the discovery phase or when something in the business model changes.

The video contains a set of great tips on how to make a BMC more appealing and understandable. I have summarized Nick’s tips here for quick reference:

Based on Nick’s review of Business Model Canvases, here’s a set of Do’s and Don’ts to guide your own canvas creation and improvement:

Do’s

  • Provide Context: Fill in the date, version number, and the specific company or product the canvas is “designed for” at the top.
  • Keep it Clear and Organized: Strive for a clean, readable layout to prevent cognitive overload.
  • Maintain Conciseness: Write only one idea per sticky note to ensure clarity and ease of modification.
  • Prioritize Flexibility: Use sticky notes for all entries, allowing for easy rearrangement and updates.
  • Show Connections: Explicitly link related building blocks using arrows or other visual cues to highlight interdependencies.
  • Apply Meaningful Color-Coding: If using different colored sticky notes, assign specific meanings (e.g., different customer segments) to avoid confusion.
  • Use Visuals: Incorporate pictures, drawings, and engaging visual elements to make your canvas more appealing and easier to understand.
  • Iterate and Refine: Start with a “messy” divergent canvas if needed, but always refine it into a more organized and visual version for sharing and future reference.
  • Update Regularly: Treat the canvas as a living document that evolves with your business learnings.

Don’ts

  • Don’t Write Directly on the Canvas: This locks in ideas and makes changes difficult.
  • Don’t Put Multiple Ideas on One Sticky Note: Avoid bullet points or lengthy text on a single note.
  • Don’t Overload with Text: Too much text can make the canvas overwhelming and difficult to digest.
  • Don’t Use Random Color-Coding: Unless there’s a clear purpose, avoid using an excessive or arbitrary mix of colors.
  • Don’t Create “Cognitive Murder”: Avoid making the canvas so messy and packed that it overwhelms viewers, especially those not involved in its creation.
  • Don’t Treat it as a Static Document: A Business Model Canvas is meant to be dynamic and updated frequently.

Take action: Improve your own BMC

These Do’s and Don’ts are a practical checklist to review and improve your own BMC.

Here’s the workflow I use:

  1. Start with your current BMC and take a screenshot.
  2. Ask an AI to review it against the checklist.
  3. Apply the suggested improvements.
  4. Ask for a second review of the improved version.

You can use prompts like these:

Review the attached Business Model Canvas according to the following Do’s and Don’ts: <paste Do’s and Don’ts here>.

Review the improved version of the BMC and suggest the next three highest-impact refinements.

This gives you structured, actionable feedback and helps you improve your canvas iteratively.

If you are interested in lean product management, evidence-guided prioritization, or want to share your own experiences, don’t hesitate to get in touch (patrickfreyleanpm@gmail.com | freypatrick).