Operating Model Canvas

Build Better Operating Models, Faster

Quickly visualize and align your organization’s structure, processes, and capabilities with Creately’s interactive operating model canvas template.

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Start instantly with customizable operating model design templates
Drag, drop, and link key elements like org charts, KPIs, and process maps
Co-design, comment, and iterate in real time with your team

Over 10 Million people and 1000s of teams already use Creately

Explore Free Operating Model Canvas Templates to Get Started

E-commerce operating model canvas illustrating order management, logistics, technology, and customer support capabilities

Operating Model Canvas Example for E-commerce Company

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Operating model canvas example for a healthcare clinic showing patient care, clinical processes, and support services

Operating Model Canvas Example for Healthcare Clinic

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Operating Model Canvas

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Operating Model Canvas Template

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AI Operating Model Canvas Generator

Design and align your business operations effortlessly

Describe your business goals or transformation initiative.
Click Generate with AI → watch Creately build an operating model canvas with structured views of processes, people, tech, and governance.
Refine, connect, and collaborate—all within a shared visual workspace.

Why teams love Creately’s AI Operating Model Canvas Generator

Instant clarity – Auto-generate core components like value chains, capabilities, and accountability structures.
Strategic alignment – AI ensures business goals and operational elements stay tightly connected.
Enterprise-grade security – All operating data processed within Creately—no third-party AI exposure.
Designed for global teams – Use in any language, across departments or regions.
Custom-fit models – Tailor levels, swimlanes, and labels to match your unique organizational structure.

VISUALIZE

Templates That Flex to Fit Your Strategy

Snapshot of Creately's interface with quick toolbar and an operating model canvas template

Start with professionally designed operating model templates and shape them to match your unique goals. Quickly map out key elements like processes, structure, systems, and customers—all in one visual canvas with easy drag-and-drop tools and industry-standard shape libraries. Whether you’re working on a high-level operating model design template or a deep-dive capability map, everything is fully customizable to suit your business context.

Image of Creately's Sharing Options with an Operating Model Canvas Example

CONNECT & ORGANIZE

Make a Multi-Dimensional Operating Model Canvas

Enhance your data by adding layers of context. Deep-dive into the details with the notes panel for data-heavy insights, and use version history to track how your strategy evolves. Attach documents and link supporting resources directly into your canvas, centralizing documentation. Use color-codes or tags to track status, implementation, and critical paths. Embed org charts, process maps, and KPIs into your operating model canvas to give full context and visibility. Present directly from Creately, export to PDF or PNG, or share as an interactive link. Perfect for presentations, analysis, or aligning stakeholders around a shared strategy.

COLLABORATE

Collaborate in Real Time, Wherever You Are

Screenshot of Creately's Collaboration Features with an Operating Model Template

Work together on your operating model diagram with Creately’s real-time collaboration tools. Invite teammates to co-edit live, assign tasks and actions directly within the canvas, and manage progress using built-in task boards and timelines. Leave contextual comments, use @mentions for clear communication, and track changes instantly. Whether aligning leadership or working with cross-functional teams, Creately keeps everyone in sync—eliminating email chaos and boosting productivity.

What Is the Operating Model Canvas?

The operating model canvas is a visual tool that is used to translate a strategy into operational choices. It gives a high-level overview of the current operations to the heads of operations and helps them design the detailed work processes. It’s an important step between strategy and the decisions that need to be made to create a functioning organization.

The operating model can be a one-page document or span to include over 100 pages. On the other hand, it is a one-page model that focuses on the mnemonic POLISM (Processes, Organization, Locations, Information, Suppliers, and Management system).

How to Create an Operating Model Canvas in Creately

Launch Creately and Open a Workspace:
Sign in to Creately and open a new workspace to get started. Instead of building from scratch, use our operating model canvas maker to browse our library of professionally designed layouts. Simply select an operating model canvas template that fits your industry, or use the AI generator to instantly produce a custom framework based on a simple prompt.
Visualize Your Core Components:
Start mapping the structure of your business using our intuitive diagramming tools. Use drag-and-drop shapes to define your core processes, organizational structure, and location logistics. Effectively visualize how value flows from suppliers to customers, ensuring every operational pillar is identified and optimized.
Enrich with Context and Data:
Use the notes panel to add detailed documentation for each section, from management systems to IT infrastructure. Include links and multimedia directly to shapes to connect your canvas to live KPIs or external resources. Use color-coding and tags to categorize different workstreams or highlight high-priority dependencies.
Brainstorm and Refine with Your Team:
Invite your colleagues to the canvas collaborate in real time with multiple cursors. Use digital sticky notes for rapid-fire ideation and contextual comments to debate structural changes without leaving the app. Ensures that your business operating model template reflects the reality of those executing it.
Review, Present, and Sync:
Use the presentation mode to walk stakeholders through the strategy directly within Creately. You can export your final operating model diagram as a high-resolution PDF or PNG, or share a secure interactive link for ongoing alignment. As your business scales, simply return to the workspace to update your canvas, keeping your operations agile and always in sync.

Visualize Your Strategy with These Free Operating Model Canvas Examples

AI-powered business model canvas template showing key partners, activities, value propositions, and revenue streams

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Business model canvas based on the Osterwalder framework used to map business components and organizational strategy

Operating Model Canvas Example for E-commerce Company

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Strategy mapping template visualizing alignment between business objectives, initiatives, and key performance measures

Strategy Map Template

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AI-powered strategy framework showing key components such as customer actions, frontstage activities, backstage activities and support processes

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FAQs About the Operating Model Canvas

What is the best online Business Model Canvas software available today?

While several tools exist, the best software is one that bridges the gap between high-level strategy and daily execution. Creately stands out as a top-tier operating model canvas creator because it offers an infinite canvas, real-time collaboration, and the ability to link live data (like KPIs and task boards) directly into your model. Unlike static slide decks, Creately acts as a living “single source of truth” for modern, agile teams.

Is this Creately’s Operating Model Canvas template free?

Yes! You can get started with our operating model template for free. Creately offers a “Free Forever” plan that includes access to our core shape libraries, basic collaboration features, and community-driven templates. For teams looking for advanced features like AI-powered canvas generation, unlimited workspaces, and high-fidelity exports (PDF/SVG), we offer flexible professional and enterprise plans.

Can I use an operating model canvas generator to speed up my design?

Yes, and it’s a game-changer for tight deadlines. Creately’s operating model canvas generator uses AI to help you jumpstart the design process. By simply describing your business or project scope, the tool can automatically populate key sections of the canvas, suggesting relevant processes and systems. This moves you from a blank page to a working draft in seconds, which you can then customize to your exact needs.

Does Creately offer an operating model canvas tool for large, distributed teams?

Absolutely. Creately is built for scale. Unlike basic drawing apps, our operating model canvas tool supports thousands of items on an infinite canvas without lag. It features enterprise-grade access control, SSO, and secure sharing, making it the ideal choice for large organizations that need to align hundreds of stakeholders across different time zones. With @mentions and multiple cursors, your global team can build a unified strategy as if they were in the same room.

Can I integrate other tools with my operating model design template?

Yes, your operating model shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. Creately’s operating model canvas builder integrates with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and more. You can embed your operating model diagram directly into your team’s existing documentation or project management tools, ensuring that your operational blueprint stays central to where the actual work happens.

How do I link KPIs to the operating model canvas?

With an operating model canvas tool like Creately, you don’t just draw boxes; you can embed live data. You can link KPIs directly to specific process steps or management sections using data integrations or the notes panel. This allows you to track real-time performance against your operational goals within the same visual workspace.

Create an Operating Model Canvas

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