The Viability Canvas

The Viability Canvas is a practical tool for assessing and improving organizational viability. It bridges the gap between the theoretical depth of the Viable System Model (VSM) and the need for actionable, structured guidance in real-world organizational work.

The canvas follows the logic of the OODA Loop — Observe, Orient, Decide, Act — turning the analysis and redesign of an organization into a sequence of manageable steps. Each step produces concrete results: diagrams, assessments, or design decisions that build on each other.

How the Canvas Works

The process is organized into four phases:

• Observe (Steps A1–A6): Analyze the organization by defining the System-in-Focus and mapping its operational units, coordination mechanisms, management structures, strategic functions, and identity.
• Orient (Steps B1–B3): Review the findings from the analysis, identify dysfunctions and pathologies, and collect additional pain points from other sources.
• Decide (Steps C1–C6): Design improvements across all system levels — from product flow and operational autonomy to stabilization, optimization, innovation, and the adaptive space between present and future.
• Act (Steps D1–D5): Set direction, map the energy required for change, focus attention on feasible interventions, and move into implementation through nudges and decisive action.

The sequence is a guideline, not a rigid process. You can follow it step by step as a newcomer or jump between phases as your experience and insights demand.

Who Is It For

The Viability Canvas is designed for leaders, consultants, and teams working on organizational diagnosis and transformation. Whether you are encountering the VSM for the first time or applying it in a complex change initiative, the canvas provides structure without constraining your thinking.