A Wardley Map is a representation of the landscape in which a business (or anything, really) operates. It consists of a value chain (activities needed to fulfill user needs) graphed against evolution (a measure of how individual activities change over time under supply and demand competition). A Wardley Map represents the shared assumptions being made about a context and hints at what strategic options are available.
Ways to Learn
- Read Intro to Wardley Mapping
- Build a map through conversation (quick)
- Read Simon’s Book
- Watch talks by Simon and others
- Take the Online Course (through the LEF)
- Run an organizational self-evaluation
- Schedule a Strategic Clarity session
Mapping Tools
My usual stack:
- RealtimeBoard (just add the Wardley Mapping Canvas from the templates)
- Evolutionary Characteristics Interactive Cheat Sheet
I also recommend:
Need Something Hands-on?
I’ve been building out an online course that offers a pragmatic approach to learning Wardley Mapping. Have a look!
