1. Lean Canvas for Lightweight Business Cases

2. What’s in this document?
Why Lean Canvas?
Lean Canvas adapted to Internal IT applications
Lean Canvas for commercial products
See the NOTES view in PPT for additional information
© 2013 Pivotal Product Management, LLC

3. What makes Lean Canvas more effective?
Simple structure to gather comprehensive business case
Development AND operating costs
Impact on other parts of the business
The Business needs to be significantly involved
Iterative approach
Hypothesize, research, confirm/revise
Update when the fundamentals of the business change – easy comparison to see differences
Lends itself to visibility and transparency
You can find out more about Lean Canvas in the book Running Lean and at leancanvas.com.
© 2013 Pivotal Product Management, LLC

4. Lean Canvas for IT Application Business Case
Problem
Solution
Value Proposition
Unique Advantage
Users/ Customers 1 4 3 5 2
Key Metrics
Impact on Existing Processes 7 6
Directions:
Consider boxes 1, 2, and 3 together. What is the problem you are trying to solve for the business? Exactly which users and internal customers have this problem? What value will you create for the business by solving this problem? See PivotalPM’s Positioning Template and Problem Statement Templates.
Now consider boxes 4 and 5. What is your proposed solution, and how will it be better than any of the alternatives?
Lastly, consider boxes As you evaluate the impact of the proposed solution on internal processes across the organization, you should get a good idea of key metrics that will help you measure success. List and quantify all the measurable benefits of the solution – some of which you identified in the Value Proposition. Finally, list the costs of creating, launching, and operating the solution. You’ll probably want to support your Canvas with a spreadsheet to show how the costs and benefits impact the organization’s financials, spread across multiple quarters. See PivotalPM’s Financial Case Template.
Tips:
Make your Canvas highly visible by posting it on a wall or a white board. Add sticky notes in each box. Keep your descriptions brief.
Hypothesize, test, and revise until your stakeholders agree that you have an accurate and viable business case.
Retain the approved Canvas and use it as a baseline for future efforts to be considered for this application.
Cost Structure
Quantifiable Benefits 9 8
Adapted from Lean Canvas and Business Canvas

5. Lean Canvas for Commercial Product Business Case7 9 6 5 4 3 2 1 8
Directions:
Consider boxes 1, 2, and 3 together. What is the problem you are trying to solve for your customers? Exactly which customers, markets, or segments have this problem? What value will you create for your customers by solving this problem and how will your product stand out in the market? See PivotalPM’s Positioning Template and Problem Statement Templates.
Now consider boxes 4, 5, and 6. What is your proposed solution, and what “secret sauce” or core competencies will keep competitors from immediately copying it? How will you sell the solution?
Lastly, consider boxes 7, 8, and 9. Considering your solution, its uniqueness, and your channel, choose key metrics that will help you measure success. List and quantify all revenue streams and other key financial targets. Finally, list the costs of creating, launching, selling, and operating the solution. You’ll probably want to support your Canvas with a spreadsheet to show how the costs and revenue impact the organization’s financials, spread across multiple quarters. See PivotalPM’s Financial Case Template.
Tips:
Make your Canvas highly visible by posting it on a wall or a white board. Add sticky notes in each box. Keep your descriptions brief.
Hypothesize, test, and revise until your stakeholders agree that you have an accurate and viable business case.
Retain the approved Canvas and use it as a baseline for future efforts to be considered for this product.

6. For More Business Case Help
Pivotal Product Management provides award-winning product management training, consulting, coaching, and skills assessment. Please contact us if you have questions about using this tool. Visit our website for more Product Management best practices, free tools, and templates.
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© 2013 Pivotal Product Management, LLC