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Method sessionHalf day (4 h)WorkshopValue-Chain-Map

Session: Value Chain Analysis

The plan translates the method into a concrete facilitated work block. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Method session with 3-8. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward Value-Chain-Map. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Phase 1: Introduce template and definitions

    20 min

    Explain Porter activities. Give one example from own organization per activity. Define differentiation score (1=none, 5=unique). Hint: If activities cannot be assigned clearly, that is already an insight: value creation is diffusely organized. Sharpen assignment before scoring.

    FacilitatorValue-Chain-Map
  2. 2

    Phase 2: Describe primary activities

    60-90 min

    Per primary activity: what we concretely do, what it costs, how many people, how value is created. Add operational data. Hint: "We market well" is fluff. "Performance marketing with 18% conversion at EUR 30 CAC" is substance.

    FacilitatorHebel-Liste
  3. 3

    Phase 3: Describe support activities

    45-60 min

    Same per support activity: activities, costs, contribution to value creation. How do they support primary activities? Hint: Support activities are often underestimated. IT, HR, and procurement can be differentiation sources. Check actively.

    FacilitatorValue-Chain-Map
  4. 4

    Phase 4: Differentiation scoring

    45-60 min

    Score every activity 1-5: how strongly this activity differentiates us from competition. Justify with evidence. Hint: High scores need evidence. "We are better" without data is self-image, not strategy.

    FacilitatorHebel-Liste
  5. 5

    Phase 5: Derive levers and weaknesses

    30-45 min

    Mark top differentiators (4-5) as activities to protect. Mark low differentiators (1-2) with high cost as outsourcing/simplification candidates. Add actions with owner and deadline. Hint: Without actions, analysis is wall decoration. At least 3-5 concrete actions with owner and quarterly review.

    OwnerValue-Chain-Map
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerValue-Chain-Map
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Value Chain Analysis

Goal

Artifact: Value-Chain-Map

Working Question

Which activities in our value creation are competitive advantage today, which cost without differentiation, and where are the strategic levers?

Context

Current cost structure per function; employee distribution; process maps; competitor analysis; known differentiation claims; outsourcing status.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: Half day (4 h)
  • Mode: Workshop
  • Participants: One strategy-experienced facilitator; executive sponsor or CSO; functional leads (Sales, Operations, IT, HR, Finance); scribe for levers and weaknesses.
  • Owner: One strategy-experienced facilitator
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Value-Chain-Map. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Whiteboard or Miro board with Porter template; operational data (cost breakdown, process maps, employee distribution); competitor analysis; pens; differentiation scoring grid.

Preparation

Template on wall: primary activities horizontally, support activities vertically. Scoring grid per activity (contribution to differentiation 1-5).

Agenda

  1. Phase 1: Introduce template and definitions (20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Explain Porter activities. Give one example from own organization per activity. Define differentiation score (1=none, 5=unique). Hint: If activities cannot be assigned clearly, that is already an insight: value creation is diffusely organized. Sharpen assignment before scoring. Output: Value-Chain-Map

  2. Phase 2: Describe primary activities (60-90 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Per primary activity: what we concretely do, what it costs, how many people, how value is created. Add operational data. Hint: "We market well" is fluff. "Performance marketing with 18% conversion at EUR 30 CAC" is substance. Output: Hebel-Liste

  3. Phase 3: Describe support activities (45-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Same per support activity: activities, costs, contribution to value creation. How do they support primary activities? Hint: Support activities are often underestimated. IT, HR, and procurement can be differentiation sources. Check actively. Output: Value-Chain-Map

  4. Phase 4: Differentiation scoring (45-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Score every activity 1-5: how strongly this activity differentiates us from competition. Justify with evidence. Hint: High scores need evidence. "We are better" without data is self-image, not strategy. Output: Hebel-Liste

  5. Phase 5: Derive levers and weaknesses (30-45 min) Owner: Owner Action: Mark top differentiators (4-5) as activities to protect. Mark low differentiators (1-2) with high cost as outsourcing/simplification candidates. Add actions with owner and deadline. Hint: Without actions, analysis is wall decoration. At least 3-5 concrete actions with owner and quarterly review. Output: Value-Chain-Map

  6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Value-Chain-Map

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Value-Chain-Map
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

Value-Chain-Map: Value Chain Analysis

Working Question

Which activities in our value creation are competitive advantage today, which cost without differentiation, and where are the strategic levers?

Context

Current cost structure per function; employee distribution; process maps; competitor analysis; known differentiation claims; outsourcing status.

Participants

  • Owner: One strategy-experienced facilitator
  • Participants: One strategy-experienced facilitator; executive sponsor or CSO; functional leads (Sales, Operations, IT, HR, Finance); scribe for levers and weaknesses.

Input

Whiteboard or Miro board with Porter template; operational data (cost breakdown, process maps, employee distribution); competitor analysis; pens; differentiation scoring grid.

Template

Value Chain Analysis Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Value-chain map:
  • Leverage list:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

Completion Check

  • Value-Chain-Map is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

Value Chain Analysis Working Template

View templateCompact working template for Value Chain Analysis with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvas

value-chain-analysis-working-template.md

Compact working template for Value Chain Analysis with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Value Chain Analysis Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Value-chain map:
  • Leverage list:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Value-Chain-Map.
  • Redo annually or on strategy refresh. Archive previous version with date. Document scoring changes with rationale. Update immediately for major changes.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet