Wardley Map
Create a strategic map showing components positioned by their evolution stage and visibility in the value chain.
Instructions
Identify the user need, map the value chain of components required to meet it, and position each component on the evolution axis.
Output Format
Context: [What situation we're mapping] User: [Who the user is] User Need: [What they're trying to accomplish]
Value Chain Identification
Working backward from user need:
| Component | Depends On | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| [User Need] | [what it requires] | High (User-facing) |
| [Component A] | [what it requires] | High/Med/Low |
| [Component B] | [what it requires] | High/Med/Low |
| [Infrastructure] | [base requirements] | Low (Hidden) |
Evolution Assessment
| Component | Evolution Stage | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| [Component A] | Genesis / Custom / Product / Commodity | [Why at this stage] |
| [Component B] | Genesis / Custom / Product / Commodity | [Why at this stage] |
Evolution Indicators:
- Genesis: Novel, poorly understood, no standard, high uncertainty
- Custom: Emerging practices, divergent approaches, experimentation
- Product: Feature differentiation, rental/purchase models, scalable
- Commodity: Standardized, utility pricing, essential but undifferentiated
The Map
VISIBLE │
TO │ [User Need]
USER │ │
│ ▼
│ [Component A]
│ │
│ ▼
INVISIBLE│ [Component B]
│
└──────┬──────┬──────┬──────┬──────►
GENESIS CUSTOM PRODUCT COMMODITY
I II III IVMovement Analysis
What's evolving rightward?
| Component | Current Stage | Evolving Toward |
|---|---|---|
| [component] | [stage] | [next stage] |
Inertia Points
- [Component with inertia] — [why we might resist]
Strategic Analysis
Build vs. Buy
| Component | Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| [Genesis/Custom] | Build | Differentiator |
| [Commodity] | Buy | Commodity, not differentiating |
Competitive Dynamics
Our differentiators (left side of map):
- [Component we do differently]
Commoditization threats:
- [Component becoming commodity]
Recommendations
Short-term actions:
- [Action based on map insights]
What to stop doing:
- [Component to outsource/buy instead of build]
Key Insight:
[Main strategic takeaway from the mapping exercise]
Guidelines
- Always start with user need
- Everything evolves left to right (genesis → commodity)
- Build on the left (differentiation), buy on the right (commodity)
- Watch for inertia—past success creates resistance to change
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