A business strategy that involves creating a new market space, or ‘blue ocean’, rather than competing in an existing market, or ‘red ocean’.
- Methodologies: Engineering, Quality
Blue Ocean Strategy

Blue Ocean Strategy
- Agile Methodology, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Competitive Analysis, Innovation, Lean Manufacturing, Market Research, Product Development, Product Differentiation, Value Proposition
Objective:
How it’s used:
- The goal of a blue ocean strategy is to make the competition irrelevant by creating a leap in value for both the company and its buyers.
Pros
- Can lead to high growth and profits, can create a strong and sustainable competitive advantage, and can be used to create new markets.
Cons
- Can be risky and difficult to execute, requires a high degree of creativity and innovation, and there is no guarantee of success.
Categories:
- Customers & Marketing, Economics
Best for:
- Creating a new market space to make the competition irrelevant.
Blue Ocean Strategy has been effectively applied across various industries including technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, where organizations aim to create new market spaces by tapping into unmet needs or reimagining existing products. This methodology is particularly useful during the early phases of product development or innovation initiatives, where teams can explore unique value propositions and engage in ideation processes that prioritize customer experience and differentiated offerings. Participants in this process often include cross-functional teams comprised of marketing, design, engineering, and management professionals who collaborate to identify opportunities for innovation and value creation. In healthcare, for instance, creating a blue ocean might involve developing patient-centric solutions that integrate technology and personalized care, thus differentiating services from traditional offerings. Companies such as Cirque du Soleil exemplify successful implementation, merging entertainment with theatrical arts to create a niche market that diverges from conventional circuses. The methodology is particularly beneficial for startups and established companies alike, as it encourages a shift from competing in saturated markets to thinking creatively about how to fulfil consumer desires in novel ways. Additionally, applying this strategy can lead to a significant reduction in price competition, allowing firms to establish a clear and sustainable advantage that resonates with customers and fosters loyalty, ultimately resulting in an elevated brand perception and increased profitability.
Key steps of this methodology
- Analyze the current market space to identify existing industry boundaries.
- Identify the factors that the industry competes on and eliminate those that do not provide value.
- Map the strategic canvas to visualize the current competitive landscape and identify gaps.
- Generate alternative value curves by exploring new ways to deliver value to customers.
- Focus on a new audience or need that has not been addressed by existing competitors.
- Develop innovative offerings that create new demand and shift buyer preferences.
- Create a business model that supports the new strategy and brings offerings to market.
- Test the new concept with target customers to refine the approach before launch.
- Implement a strategy to align the organization around the new value proposition.
- Continuously monitor and adapt the strategy based on market feedback and changing conditions.
Pro Tips
- Conduct a thorough value innovation analysis to identify pain points and unmet needs in the market, which can reveal unique opportunities for differentiation.
- Utilize visual strategy tools, such as the Strategy Canvas, to map the existing industry landscape and identify where gaps exist for creating new value propositions.
- Implement iterative prototyping and testing phases to rapidly validate assumptions and refine the offering, ensuring alignment with customer expectations and market dynamics.
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