Wardley Mapping is Simon Wardley’s visual approach to strategy. A map places components on a value chain that runs down from user needs and along an evolution axis from Genesis through Custom and Product to Commodity. Reading how components move, together with climatic patterns, gameplay patterns, and doctrine, builds situational awareness and informs decisions such as build, buy, or partner.
Wardley Mapping
Details
Core Concepts:
- Value chain
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Map components from user needs down
- Evolution axis
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Genesis → Custom → Product → Commodity
- Movement
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Components naturally evolve over time
- Situational awareness
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Understanding the landscape before deciding
- Gameplay patterns
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Common strategic moves
- Climatic patterns
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Forces that affect all players
- Doctrine
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Universal principles of good strategy
- Inertia
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Resistance to change in organizations
- Strategic planning
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Visual approach to strategy
- Build-Buy-Partner decisions
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Based on evolution stage
- Key Proponent
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Simon Wardley
When to Use:
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Strategic technology planning
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Build vs. buy decisions
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Understanding competitive landscape
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Communicating strategy visually
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Identifying opportunities for disruption