Guided: Modern Business Canvas
Project Summary
My group and I's goal for this project was to craft a mobile platform based on the existing content of the Flourishing Business Canvas, a strategic business planning tool for developing a new or growing business.
The app application applied through a series of phases: researching and analyzing the content, envisioning the conceptual framework, creating a functional prototype, and improving the user experience through usability testing.
DURATION: Four Months
RESPONSIBILITIES: User Research, Ideation, UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design
TOOLS USED: Overflow, Sketch, Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
What is the Flourishing Business Canvas?
The Flourishing Business Canvas is a strategic planning tool used to communicate, visualize, brainstorm, and test business concepts or products. The canvas outlines four sections representing the different core elements of a business, along with three flourishing factors. Typically, this activity is conducted in a boardroom during which a team brainstorms and plots ideas on a canvas using sticky notes. Once the activity is completed, the canvas serves as a reference to envision the overall business strategy and evaluate it through further testing. Learn more about the Flourishing Business Canvas →
Flourishing Business Canvas Template
An example of how the business canvas template is used in team discussions by using sticky notes to plot ideas on a canvas.
Design Challenge
How might we reimagine the physical Flourishing Business Canvas and collaborative boardroom elements into a mobile form experience?
Design Solution
Transforming the Canvas Features
We propose reconfiguring the Flourishing Business Model structure and its features in a more intuitive and streamlined manner. Therefore, individuals and teams can explore and build their business canvas effectively in a mobile application.
Designed for both new and experienced business users
Considering there are users with varying levels of business knowledge and experience, the Guided app offers two different routes for new and experienced business users.
Guided Route
The Guided Route will guide new business users through a series of questions to generate notes based on their answers and add them to each section of the canvas.
Freeflow Route
The Freeflow Route will take experienced business users directly to the canvas, where they can freely explore, add notes and create their canvas on their own.
Design Process
Research Analysis
We started this project by learning and familiarizing ourselves with the Flourishing Business Canvas. Then, we have also gathered our research on the existing products on the market that are similar to the concept of Flourishing Business Canvas. Thus enabling us to analyze their successes and drawbacks, identify the audience for whom we are designing, and implement further improvement.
With this, here is the collection of our research into documents to guide us along with the project:
Benchmark Analysis:
Understanding the existing business canvas product market for improvements, insights and possibilities. View Benchmark Analysis →Pact Analysis:
Understanding the audience by reflecting on people, activities, contexts, and technologies. View Pact Analysis →
Ideation- Planning & Initial Sketches
After synthesizing our findings, we used the MoSCoW method as a tool to determine the prioritization of features and allow us to focus our time on more vital features of the app. View MoSCoW Chart →
The following are some ideation questions my group and I had to tackle during our brainstorming sessions:
Due to the structure and features of the flourishing canvas not being optimized for a smaller screen, it would not be efficient for an app. Therefore, we looked at different approaches to transforming the intricate format into a user-friendly app and integrated the collaborative boardroom features.
We realized that there are various types of users, for example, a novice business user who desires to start a business and is new to the flourishing canvas or a business veteran familiar with the Business Canvas in a printed version but adjusts to the app application. How might we make this app inclusive for these types of audiences?
Since adding notes is an essential function in our app, what is the most visible and accessible way to add notes to the different categories and subcategories of the business canvas?
How might we notify the team members/leads when the notes are added in each category and subcategory of the business canvas and be able to discuss it and provide their feedback/comments?
How might we provide a space where team members/leads can maintain their communication?
How might the team leads keep in check with the team members’ tasks and approve their notes?
Discussion of the MoSCoW
White Board Initial Sketches
Ideation- User Personas
To understand our target audience, whom we are designing the Guided app platform for, we needed to keep the various needs of the users in mind. We established four different personas to help us better understand, empathize with their goals and motivations, and discover their pain points to design a system that will provide an optimal experience for the users.
Ideation- Site Map
After brainstorming the potential features to address the different pain points, we created a detailed site map outlining where each of the features would be located. This allowed us to get a better idea of how the overall app would operate and make sure the core functions were easily accessible.
Mockup Prototype
After developing the mockup prototypes, we uploaded them to Overflow, a flow diagram tool, where participants could interact with the app during the next stage of the project— conducting the usability test.
Usability Testing
We selected users with varying degrees of familiarity and knowledge of the business canvas to align closely with our target audience. As we collected the user testers' data, it allowed us to identify the areas they have struggled with while gaining their insights and receiving constructive critiques, thus helping us improve when finalizing the product. View User Testing Report →
Branding
After conducting the usability tests, we finalized the design system to ensure that all design elements were cohesive throughout the product. We encapsulated a friendly and welcoming tone for users as they will not feel intimidated while interacting and building their canvas. Also, we designed a clean and minimalistic interface to convey a professional business sense.
Guided Final Product
Quick Sign Up
Business owners or team leaders can start by signing up, setting up a business canvas profile, and inviting their team members.
Guided Route
The Guided Route will help you whether you are new with the Flourishing Business Canvas Model or need directions to start a new business. This route consists of answering expertly designed questions that would convert into notes and add to the canvas’ sections and subsections accordingly while simultaneously checking your progress throughout.
Freeflow Route
For business users who are more advanced and are familiar with the business canvas concept, using the Freeflow Route enables you to explore and quickly place notes directly on your canvas. Once these notes are published, you can begin to collaborate with your team and receive their feedback.
Add Notes
To add ideas, create a new note by selecting sections and subsections and inputting the note details. The note will be saved correspondingly to the canvas and will be available for discussion.
Business Owners or Team Leaders’ Feedback
A note approval/feedback system is available to business owners or team leaders on the notifications page. The system allows them to either approve or provide feedback when a team member proposes a note.
Canvas Chat
Every segment of the canvas has its own chat channel, which allows team members to keep track of their discussions, organize ideas, and keep everyone in the loop, in addition to having personal chats.
Reflection
This was a unique project that we were able to tackle and craft into a seamless product. In a span of three months, we came across many complex challenges, yet it was a wholly enriching experience to be able to turn these challenges into feasible solutions. I learned a lot from the Flourishing Business Canvas concept, the whole design process and especially my amazing teammates who each contributed their unique skill sets and expertise. It was also the first project where we had the opportunity to conduct user-testing, and this has taught me how valuable it is to view problems and receive feedback from the user's perspective.