Practical Application Checklist
Before closing this review, here’s a practical checklist for applying blue ocean strategy in your organization:
Phase 1: Assessment (Weeks 1-2)
- Draw your industry’s strategy canvas
- Identify your three tiers of noncustomers
- List the six paths and rate opportunity potential for each
- Assess your current pioneer-migrator-settler mix
Phase 2: Exploration (Weeks 3-6)
- Apply the four actions framework to your offering
- Create eliminate-reduce-raise-create grid
- Map buyer utility across the full experience cycle
- Identify strategic price corridor of target mass
Phase 3: Validation (Weeks 7-8)
- Test idea against BOI index (utility-price-cost-adoption)
- Assess alignment of value-profit-people propositions
- Identify potential imitation barriers
- Map key organizational hurdles to execution
Phase 4: Preparation (Weeks 9-12)
- Build fair process into rollout plan
- Identify kingpins and plan fishbowl management
- Find hot spots and cold spots for resource reallocation
- Secure consigliere and map angels vs. devils
Phase 5: Launch & Learn (Ongoing)
- Start with limited pilot to test assumptions
- Monitor value curve convergence with competitors
- Plan renewal timeline before ocean turns red
- Document lessons for next blue ocean attempt
Strategy isn’t about perfection. It’s about systematic thinking that improves your odds. Blue ocean strategy provides that systematic approach—imperfect but valuable.
Now stop reading reviews and go create something remarkable.