Business Model Navigator

Business Model Innovation, the architecture of a company's value creation, delivery, and capture mechanisms, is often misunderstood by managers. They struggle with creating and implementing novel business models, highlighting a need for tools that offer guidance and structure. Despite abundant static representations of the business model concept, interactive IT-based tools for aiding practitioners are surprisingly rare. Given the complexity of business models and aspects related to managerial cognition, digital tools supporting business model innovation represent a fascinating yet underutilized niche.

The Business Model Navigator tool, a digital extension of Gassmann et al.'s (2014) work, includes over 100 business models from iconic firms for interactive exploration. It analyzes business model patterns, the focal firm, and industry nuances. Furthermore, business model patterns are visualized in form of an interactive network graph. In an evaluation with a professional services firm, it was found that the tool can guide managerial thinking, aiding in practical activities like ideation and supporting real-world business model innovation.