The difference between the NEXT Canvas and the Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a strategic management and lean startup template for developing new or documenting existing business models. It is a visual chart with elements describing a firm’s or product’s value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances.

In other words, the BMC is a design tool for the creation or renewing of business models. The BMC is often used during ideation sessions and to regularly check the viability and feasibility of business models.

The NEXT Canvas, however, is a product lifecycle framework used to test business models and track the progress of an idea turning into a validated and profitable business model.

The NEXT Canvas visualizes the four types of proof an idea needs: First, the team needs to prove there is a problem to solve, then that a solution can be created to solve that problem. After there is a proven solution, there needs to be proof that customers will pay and finally, the team needs to prove that the business model can scale.

This is not a linear process. When proving the solution, the problem might need some zooming in and when the team is ready to prove the business model can scale, the whole NEXT Canvas needs to be reconsidered, to make the business model fit the larger customer segment. It…