Discovery versus operations.
Lean canvas vs business model canvas is a stage question. Lean canvas forces problem, solution, and unfair advantage — useful before anyone is paying. BMC forces partners, activities, and cost structure — useful once the offer sells and you need the machine.
Switch when you have repeating revenue and the open questions are channels, costs, and partners — not “is the problem real.”
| Lean canvas | BMC |
|---|---|
| Problem / solution | Value propositions |
| Unfair advantage | Key resources + partners |
| Key metrics | Cost structure + revenue streams |
Keep the lean canvas as a historical artifact. Run the business on the BMC + GTM plan.