Wardley Mapping: Visualizing Strategic Landscapes

What participants gain

• Visualize the organization's value chain and its evolution.
• Identify strategic opportunities and potential threats.
• Understand the competitive landscape.
• Make informed strategic decisions.
• Communicate strategic priorities effectively.

Materials needed

• A3 paper or whiteboard
• Colored markers
• Post-it notes
• Timer
• Wardley Mapping template

How to run Wardley Mapping: Visualizing Strategic Landscapes, step by step

1. 1. Introduce Wardley Mapping and its purpose (5 min).
2. 2. Explain the different evolutionary stages (Genesis, Custom-Built, Product, Commodity) (10 min).
3. 3. Identify the user needs and value being delivered (10 min).
4. 4. Map the components of the value chain based on their evolutionary stage (20 min).
5. 5. Discuss the strategic implications of the map (10 min).
6. 6. Identify potential opportunities and threats (5 min).
7. level
8. rationale
9. rationale

Facilitator tips

• Emphasize the importance of understanding the user needs and value before mapping components.
• Encourage participants to challenge assumptions about the evolutionary stage of different components.
• Use real-world examples to illustrate the different evolutionary stages and their strategic implications.
• Remind participants that the map is a living document and should be updated regularly.
• Create a safe space for participants to voice their opinions and challenge existing assumptions.

Common challenges

• Participants struggle to understand the different evolutionary stages. - Provide clear examples and analogies to explain each stage.
• Participants disagree on the evolutionary stage of certain components. - Facilitate a discussion and encourage participants to provide evidence to support their claims.
• The map becomes too complex and difficult to understand. - Simplify the map by focusing on the most critical components and relationships.
• Participants focus too much on the current state and not enough on the future evolution. - Encourage participants to think about how the map might change over time.

Running it virtually

Use a virtual whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural to collaboratively create the Wardley Map. Utilize breakout rooms for smaller group discussions and mapping exercises.

Expected results

Participants will create a visual map of the organization's value chain, identifying key components and their evolutionary stages. They will gain a shared understanding of the organization's strategic landscape and potential opportunities for innovation.

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