Mission Model Canvas (DDN2-J05)

Mission model canvas

This job aid presents the mission model canvas, a tool for identifying specific risks, addressing gaps, and gaining insight into the desirability, viability and feasibility of the solution to the problem at hand.

Purpose

A mission model canvas can be used to:

• set the boundaries to the solution space by identifying specific risks, addressing gaps and outlining its desirability, viability and feasibility criteria
• identify business constraints
• assess an idea by identifying specific risks, address gaps and gain more insight on the desirability, viability and feasibility criteria
• mitigate costly risks and mobilize resources to create value for beneficiaries

Desired outcome

A mission model canvas is a visual representation that lists and connects the stakeholders, activities, strategies and resources.

When to use

• At the beginning of the building or redesign of a product, service, or program, but before doing design research to set a loose boundary for the solution space.
• During the evaluation of a particular idea to identify specific risks, address gaps, and gain insight into its desirability, viability, and feasibility.

Pairs well with these job aids

• Stakeholder Mapping During the Solution Design Process (DDN2-J07)
• Brainstorming and Brainwriting (DDN2-J13)
• Innovation Scorecard (DDN2-J17)
• SCAMPER (TBD)

How to use

Populate the mission model canvas template:

• The desirability criteria refer to the value proposition, buy-in and support, beneficiaries and deployment strategy fields.
• The viability criteria refer to the mission budget and cost, and mission impact fields.
• The feasibility criteria mean the partners, activities and key resources fields.

Definitions

• Desirability: Determines the added value for stakeholders, particularly users, whether the idea is a want or a need.
  • What's the unique value proposition?
  • Do people want this product or service?
  • Is it new, novel or innovative?
  • How is it different from anything heard or seen before? 
  • Does it make sense for them?
• Feasibility: Measures whether your organization's operations have the capacity to prototype and implement the proposed solution.
  • Does this work?
  • Is it functionally possible in the foreseeable future?
• Viability: Identifies whether this idea will contribute to your organization's mandate and long-term growth.
  • Can we develop something sustainable?
  • What has to be true for this idea to work?
  • What are the costs?
  • Is the cost worth the potential or perceived impact?
  • How will you pay for it?

Note: At the early stage of the design process, you might not have enough information to complete the template. Update your mission model canvas after conducting research.

The mission model canvas example