How do I choose a Wardley Mapping workshop vendor?

Finding the right partner to help you learn Wardley Mapping can be difficult. Proposals often look similar, but the quality of delivery varies wildly. To ensure you invest in capability-building rather than just "training theater," use this guide to evaluate potential vendors.

1. Define Your Goal First

Before talking to vendors, clarify what you need:

• Awareness (Learning): You want a shared language and foundational knowledge for future use.
• Applied (Solving): You have a specific, immediate strategic challenge (e.g., "Build vs. Buy decision") and need help navigating it.

Tip: Don't book a generic training workshop if you actually need help solving a specific business problem.

2. The 9-Point Evaluation Checklist

Use these non-negotiable criteria to separate genuine practitioners from those who just read the book.

1. Active Mapper: Can they show you a map they created recently for their own business or work? If they only teach but don't map, they can't guide you through the nuance.
2. Diagnostics: Do they ask probing questions about your challenge before proposing a solution? Avoid vendors who instantly pitch their "standard 2-day course" without understanding your context.
3. Honestic Expectations: Do they admit that mapping takes months to master? profound strategic gameplay requires practice. promise of "instant expertise" is a major red flag.
4. Clear Deliverables: Do they specify exactly what you get post-workshop (e.g., photos of maps, slides, templates, recording)?
5. Public Presence: Do they contribute to the community (talks, blogs, forum posts)? Detailed engagement suggests they are keeping current with the evolving practice.
6. Follow-up Support: Do they offer coaching, map reviews, or follow-up calls? The hardest part is applying mapping after the workshop; ensure you have support.
7. Published Maps: Do they share their own maps publicly? Look for "messy," real-world maps that show thinking, not just polished diagrams.
8. Trial Option: Do they offer a lower-cost "try before you buy" session (e.g., a 2-hour executive briefing)? This de-risks your investment.
9. Communication: Are they responsive, clear, and professional during the sales process? Poor communication now usually means poor facilitation later.

3. Red Flags to Watch For

• "You'll be an expert in 2 days." (Impossible; mapping is a practice like playing an instrument).
• Cannot show their own maps. (They likely don't actually use the method).
• No trial option. (They may lack confidence in their value).
• Ignores your context. (They are selling a commodity product, not a strategic solution).

Conclusion

Start with a trial session or a small discovery workshop. This allows you to evaluate the vendor's teaching style and practical expertise with a smaller investment before committing to a full training program.