shinpr Business Context Analysis
Purpose
Provide structured frameworks for understanding the business environment surrounding product decisions. These frameworks help assess Viability risk and identify Opportunities through market gaps.
When to Use Each Framework
| Framework | Use When | Key Output |
|---|---|---|
| Business Model Canvas | A viability decision depends on cross-component business-model effects | Decision-relevant component map |
| Value Proposition Canvas | Designing value propositions that match user needs | Customer Profile + Value Map fit |
| Market Analysis | Understanding market size, competition, and trends | Market sizing, competitive positioning |
Business Model Canvas (BMC)
Offers nine business-model components: Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnerships, and Cost Structure. Inspect the components and interactions that can change the current viability decision; use a full canvas only when the whole model is the named output.
Use during Opportunity Discovery to understand business context and identify where Solutions must fit within the business model.
See references/business-model-canvas.md for the full framework and quality checklist.
Value Proposition Canvas (VPC)
Designs value propositions by mapping Customer Profile (Jobs, Pains, Gains) to Value Map (Products & Services, Pain Relievers, Gain Creators). The goal is Problem-Solution Fit.
Connection to OST
- Customer Jobs surface Opportunities (unmet jobs = opportunities)
- Pains generate Hypotheses about friction causes
- Pain Relievers and Gain Creators supply assumptions that may affect Value, Usability, Feasibility, or Viability depending on the claim being tested
See references/value-proposition-canvas.md for the full framework and fit assessment checklist.
Market Analysis
Structures market research across: Market Size (TAM/SAM/SOM), Segmentation, Competitive Analysis, and Market Trends.
Connection to Risks
- TAM/SAM/SOM validates Viability risk (market large enough?)
- Competitive analysis validates Value risk (can we differentiate?)
- Market trends inform whichever risk or timing decision their evidence can change
- Market gaps identify new Opportunities
See references/market-analysis.md for the full framework, research methods, and quality checklist.
Key Principles
- Evidence over assumption: Market claims need cited data sources
- Decision-relevant freshness: Re-check market data when changed conditions can alter the current decision
- Corroboration by consequence: Add a second independent source when one source cannot support the claim's consequence
- Business model fit: Inspect the business-model components a Solution can materially affect