VRIO analysis framework

If you’re looking to identify what makes your company truly stand out, the VRIO analysis framework is your go-to tool. This easy-to-use template helps you assess the value, rarity, imitability, and organization of your internal resources – so you can pinpoint what’s driving your competitive edge (and what’s just taking up space).

Whether you're building out a new strategy or giving your existing one a refresh, this template will help you zoom in on your most powerful assets and ensure they’re aligned to deliver long-term impact.

Download the template in Google Slides, PowerPoint, or PDF and start building a business moat your competitors can’t swim across.

What is a VRIO analysis framework?

The VRIO framework is a strategic planning tool that helps you evaluate your company’s resources and capabilities to determine if they can offer a sustained competitive advantage.

The acronym stands for:

• Valuable: Does the resource help you capitalize on opportunities or neutralize threats?
• Rare: Is it hard to find or unique in your market?
• Inimitable: Is it difficult for competitors to copy?
• Organized: Is your company set up to fully leverage this asset?

This template gives you a structured space to evaluate each of these areas and decide whether a resource is worth investing in, or if it’s time to pivot.

Who is it for?

This template is designed for strategic thinkers across your org, but it's especially useful if you’re in:

• Product marketing, and want to clearly define what makes your product defensible
• Product management, and need to prioritize capabilities that drive growth
• Strategy or leadership teams, looking to align on long-term direction
• Competitive intelligence, and want to assess how your internal resources stack up against market dynamics

Basically, if you're responsible for making smart, resource-driven decisions, this one’s for you.

How to use the framework

1. List your resources and capabilities: Think broadly: tech, brand, talent, culture, processes – you name it.
2. Assess each one against the VRIO criteria: Is it valuable? Rare? Hard to imitate? Are you structured to use it well?
3. Score and summarize: Use the table and prompts in the template to categorize each resource (e.g., competitive disadvantage, temporary advantage, sustainable advantage).
4. Inform your strategy: Let your findings guide key decisions – whether it’s doubling down on a differentiator, reallocating resources, or rethinking your positioning.

The best part? You don’t need to be a McKinsey consultant to use it. The framework is simple, practical, and helps spark the right conversations across teams.

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VRIO analysis framework

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