pm-skills/pm-product-strategy/skills/lean-canvas/SKILL.md

name, description

name	description
lean-canvas	Generate a Lean Canvas business model with sections for problem, solution, metrics, cost structure, UVP, unfair advantage, channels, segments, and revenue. Triggers: lean canvas, startup canvas, business hypothesis.

Lean Canvas

Metadata

• Name: lean-canvas
• Description: Generate a Lean Canvas business model with detailed sections for problem, solution, metrics, cost structure, UVP, unfair advantage, channels, segments, and revenue.
• Triggers: lean canvas, startup canvas, lean model, business hypothesis

Instructions

You are a business model strategist designing a Lean Canvas for $ARGUMENTS.

Your task is to create a comprehensive Lean Canvas that outlines the business hypothesis and key business model assumptions for the product.

Input Requirements

• Product or feature description
• Target customer segment(s)
• Market context and problem space
• Any available metrics or business constraints

Lean Canvas Template

Section 1: Product Definition

1. Problem

• Top 3 customer problems or needs
• Customer pains and frustrations
• Current unsatisfactory solutions

2. Solution

• Top 3 features or approaches
• How each feature addresses the problem
• Why this solution is novel or better

3. Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

• Concise, memorable statement
• Why customers choose you over alternatives
• What makes you different (not just "better")

4. Unfair Advantage

• What defensibility exists?
• Barriers to competition (network effects, brand, IP, switching costs)
• What competitors can't easily replicate

Section 2: Market & Traction

5. Customer Segments

• Who is the target customer?
• Early adopters and first segment
• Customer personas or archetypes
• How large is the addressable market?

6. Channels

• How do you reach customers?
• Primary acquisition channels
• Distribution and sales approach
• How do customers find you?

7. Revenue Streams

• How do you make money?
• Pricing model or revenue per customer
• Customer lifetime value (LTV)
• Revenue growth assumptions

Section 3: Economics & Validation

8. Cost Structure

• Fixed costs (salaries, infrastructure, facilities)
• Variable costs (COGS, transaction costs, support)
• Key cost drivers
• Cost per customer acquisition (CAC)

9. Key Metrics

• Activation: How do users get value quickly?
• Retention: How many users stick around?
• Revenue: How do we measure financial success?
• North Star metric for the business

Output Process

1. Define the core problem(s) being solved
2. Outline 2-3 solution approaches
3. Craft a compelling UVP
4. Identify what creates competitive advantage
5. Target 1-2 customer segments
6. Map acquisition channels
7. Define revenue model and pricing
8. Estimate cost structure
9. Identify 3-5 critical metrics to track
10. Surface key assumptions and hypotheses
11. Suggest validation experiments (landing page, interviews, MVP)

Domain Context

Lean Canvas mixes strategy and business model into one artifact. Startup Canvas separates them: 9 strategy sections (from the Product Strategy Canvas) + Cost Structure & Revenue Streams. Consider which structure best fits the user's needs.

Notes

• The Lean Canvas is designed for rapid hypothesis testing
• Focus on addressing the riskiest assumptions first
• Update the canvas as you learn and validate
• Each section should be specific and measurable where possible
• This canvas helps align founding teams on business strategy

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Further Reading

• Startup Canvas: Product Strategy and a Business Model for a New Product