BUSThink. A Hybrid Methodology for Agile Business Design

By CarpoACE Europe SL.

In many business schools, students are taught various management tools such as the Business Model Canvas for developing business plans or new ventures, Design Thinking for generating and quickly validating business ideas in the market, and Kanban for monitoring and planning business activities. However, when it comes to the final project of a Master's program, students are often required to integrate all the knowledge acquired during their studies into a comprehensive business plan. The challenge lies in the lack of a clear integration methodology, which can lead to student frustration and time loss, especially when deadlines are tight.

In response to this gap, CarpoACE Europe SL has developed the BUSThink (Agile Business Design) methodology, a hybrid tool that integrates the Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking, and Kanban. This powerful framework aims to help students and professionals use their acquired knowledge more effectively and synergistically in developing business projects.

What is BUSThink?

BUSThink combines three widely recognized methodologies:

• Business Model Canvas: This tool helps in structuring business models by identifying key components such as value propositions, customer segments, channels, revenue streams, and cost structures.

• Design Thinking: This agile methodology focuses on human-centered design, promoting creativity and innovation through empathizing with users, defining problems, ideating, prototyping, and testing solutions.

• Kanban: This visual project management tool aids in planning, monitoring, and managing tasks, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of projects.

By integrating these methodologies, BUSThink provides a cohesive approach that streamlines the process of developing a business project, from ideation to implementation.

How Does BUSThink Work?

1. Empathize and Define (Design Thinking): Conduct research, interviews, and observations to understand customer needs and define the problem your project will address.

2. Ideate (Design Thinking): Organize brainstorming sessions to generate creative solutions.

3. Prototype and Test (Design Thinking): Create prototypes of your most promising solutions and test them with real users to validate and refine your ideas.
   

4. Create the Business Model Canvas: Identify key customer segments, define a unique value proposition, and determine channels and customer relationships.

5. Plan with Kanban: Develop a Kanban board to visualize project stages, set work-in-progress limits, and prioritize tasks.

6. Execute and Monitor with Kanban: Assign tasks and responsibilities, conduct regular check-ins, and use the Kanban board to track progress and adjust plans as needed.

7. Continuous Learning and Improvement: Iterate and improve your value proposition and solutions based on feedback and ongoing validation.

Benefits of BUSThink

• Structured Integration: BUSThink provides a structured framework that integrates various tools and methodologies, helping students and professionals apply their knowledge comprehensively.

•  Enhanced Creativity and Innovation: By incorporating Design Thinking, BUSThink fosters creativity and innovative problem-solving.
  

• Efficient Project Management: Kanban ensures efficient planning, monitoring, and task management, reducing time loss and improving project completion rates.

•  Practical Application: BUSThink facilitates the practical application of theoretical knowledge, bridging the gap between learning and real-world implementation.

Case Study: Agile Business Design for Older Adult Migrants

CarpoACE Europe SL, along with its partners Solis Srls (Italy) and Projects For Europe ASBL (Belgium), is successfully utilizing the BUSThink methodology in the Erasmus+ co-funded project, "Agile Business Design for Older Adult Migrants" (Project Number: 2023-1-ES01-KA210-ADU-00153722). This project aims to provide older adult migrants with the skills and tools to develop their own business projects, using the BUSThink methodology to ensure a comprehensive and effective learning experience.

 

The BUSThink methodology is a powerful hybrid tool that integrates the Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking, and Kanban to provide a cohesive framework for business project development. By streamlining the integration of various tools and methodologies, BUSThink helps students and professionals apply their knowledge more effectively, fostering creativity, innovation, and efficient project management. The successful application of BUSThink in projects like "Agile Business Design for Older Adult Migrants" demonstrates its potential to make a significant impact in both educational and business environments.