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Wardley Mapping

Strategic mapping for understanding competitive landscapes and positioning.

What is a Wardley Map?

A Wardley Map visualizes: - User needs — The top-level goals users want - Value chain — Components/capabilities required to meet needs - Evolution — Where each component sits in its lifecycle - Doctrine — Universal principles guiding decisions - Climate — External forces shaping strategy

The Evolution Axis

Genesis        Custom         Product        Commodity
(Novel)        (Bespoke)      (Packaged)     (Utility)
   |              |               |              |
   v              v               v              v
  Invent        Build          Consume        Integrate
  ```

**Genesis**: Completely new, uncertain
**Custom**: Tailored solutions, high value
**Product**: Standardized products
**Commodity**: Utility services (electricity, HTTP)

## Creating a Wardley Map

### 1. Define User Need
What does the user fundamentally want?

Example: "Share photos with friends"

### 2. Map Value Chain
What capabilities are needed?
User Need: Share Photos ├── Photo Capture ├── Upload ├── Storage ├── Delivery └── Social Discovery 
### 3. Position on Evolution
Where is each capability in its evolution?
Photo Capture → Commodity (camera is everywhere) Upload → Commodity (HTTP) Storage → Product (AWS S3, Google Cloud) Delivery → Commodity (CDN) Social → Custom (differentiator) 
### 4. Assess Doctrine
What principles guide your decisions?

- Focus on user outcomes
- Know your users
- Understand competition
- Design for ubiquity

### 5. Identify Climate
What external factors matter?

- Regulations (privacy, data)
- Competition (TikTok, Instagram)
- Technology (ML for recommendations)

## Using /wardley Skill

In Claude Code:
/wardley social media platform ```

Returns: - User need definition - Value chain decomposition - Evolution positioning - Doctrine and climate analysis - Strategic recommendations