2. Canvas: Organizational Dynamics

This canvas focuses on further strategy development – where you want to go, why you want to go there, and how you plan to get there. Strategy guides and helps us decide what to focus on and what not to. How can we ensure we reach our goals while allowing the desired impacts to flourish? You will find many similarities to other canvases here. However, this additional perspective may provide new insights and ideas. The canvas primarily addresses the overall perspective of you as an organization – even if you are just starting small. It is designed to help you develop your project in the long term, positioning and leading it sustainably and with lasting impact. It emphasizes the two core tasks of leadership: focusing on the “why” and the “how” – your values and processes. Both should be handled thoughtfully and carefully.

The oval (ellipse) represents you (your organization, project, etc.). Following the arrow, you journey toward your vision. Your project revolves around two centers, both of which are essential and must function well independently to achieve your vision: On one side, there is appreciation, which focuses on internal and external relationships. How do you treat each other as a team? How do you communicate with partners, guests, customers, etc.?

On the other side, there is value creation: it is not enough to act appreciatively; you also need to create something. How do you achieve this in practice? How do you develop (or further improve) your offerings? Two less glamorous but essential aspects of a well-functioning and smoothly running organization are finances and administration. Here, you can document how your efforts are funded, whether you are well-resourced or experiencing shortages. This section also addresses who manages the organizational and administrative tasks of your project (e.g., spaces, infrastructure, website, etc.).

Your organization (represented by the oval) moves like a UFO through space toward a vision (a richly detailed picture of the future): What is the purpose, the ultimate “good” you aim to deliver? Along the way, you will have various goals or milestones to achieve. Your journey is not only driven by your purpose and goals but also powered by your past and your mission (Why do we exist? What has shaped us? What is our founding DNA?).

You can find the German Canvas here.

You can find the English Canvas here.

You can find the Spanish Canvas here.