Arena Scan Canvas

#The problem this canvas solves

Platform opportunities often exist in "white spaces" where incumbents are underserving customers or where the competitive landscape has vulnerabilities. Teams need to look beyond direct competitors to see the broader ecosystem of players. The Arena Scan provides a systematic way to map the competitive landscape, identify key players, and spot positioning opportunities that traditional competitive analysis misses.

#When to use it

Use the Arena Scan Canvas at the start of platform strategy development to understand the competitive landscape, identify key players, and spot opportunities for platform positioning. This canvas helps teams see beyond direct competitors to ecosystem players.

#The canvas

The canvas in the updated Boundaryless brand (full resolution — click to zoom). A print-ready PDF and editable SVG are also available on request.

#Connections with other canvases

#Feeds into

• Ecosystem Scan Canvas — Arena insights inform ecosystem mapping
• Brief Consolidation Canvas — Arena analysis feeds strategic brief

#Complements

• VRIO Analysis Canvas — Arena scan and VRIO together assess competitive position

#Used in techniques

• Scanning and Mapping the Ecosystem

#Used in pipelines

• Understanding the Ecosystem

#Related reading

• The Macro-Problems and Techniques of Platform Design — Explains the Arena Scan as part of Macro-Problem 1: Understanding Ecosystems

#Resources

• Guide reference: PDT Opportunity Exploration Guide - Arena Scan chapter
• License: Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike 4.0 International
• Version: 2.2.1

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Part of Platform Design Toolkit · v2.2.1