How do I get started with Wardley Mapping?
FAQ Details
How do I get started with Wardley Mapping?
Start with our Wardley Mapping 101 guide to learn the fundamentals, then practice with simple examples from your own experience.
Getting started with Wardley Mapping is easier than you might think. The key is to start simple and build your understanding gradually. Here's a step-by-step approach to begin your mapping journey.
Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals
Begin with our comprehensive Wardley Mapping 101 guide. This covers:
- What Wardley Mapping is and why it matters
- Value chains and how to identify them
- Evolution stages and their strategic implications
- Basic mapping techniques and tools
Don't try to learn everything at once. Focus on understanding the core concepts before moving to advanced techniques.
Step 2: Choose Your First Mapping Project
Start with something familiar and simple:
Good First Projects
- Your own business - Map your current value chain
- A familiar industry - Choose an industry you know well
- A simple service - Start with something straightforward
- A competitor - Map a company you understand
Avoid for Your First Map
- Complex industries with many interdependencies
- Emerging technologies you don't understand well
- Multi-national companies with complex operations
- Highly regulated industries with many constraints
Step 3: Identify Your User Need
Every Wardley Map starts with a clear user need. Ask yourself:
- What problem are we solving? Be specific about the user's goal
- Who has this need? Identify your target user clearly
- Why does this matter? Understand the value being created
Example: Instead of "sell products online," use "help customers find and purchase products quickly and easily."
Step 4: Map Your Value Chain
Work backwards from the user need to identify all components:
- Start with the user need at the top
- Identify the user who has this need
- Map the channel for reaching users
- Define the value proposition you offer
- Identify revenue streams and how you capture value
- List key resources needed to deliver value
- Map key activities that create value
- Identify key partners who help you deliver
- Understand cost structure and what it costs to operate
Step 5: Position Components by Evolution Stage
For each component, determine its evolution stage:
- Genesis - Novel, uncertain, constantly changing
- Custom Built - Growing, becoming more defined
- Product - Stable, well-defined, widely available
- Commodity - Ubiquitous, standardized, utility-like
Position Genesis components on the left, Commodity components on the right.
Step 6: Add Movement Indicators
Show which components are evolving and in what direction:
- Arrows showing movement between stages
- Notes about timing and speed of evolution
- Insights about what's driving the changes
Step 7: Extract Strategic Insights
Once you have a basic map, look for strategic insights:
- Where should you invest? Focus on Genesis and Custom Built components
- What should you outsource? Consider Product and Commodity components
- How should you compete? Differentiate on evolving components
- What's changing? Monitor components moving between stages
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
1. Starting Too Complex
Don't try to map everything at once. Start with one user need and one value chain.
2. Ignoring Evolution
Don't just list components - understand their evolution stage and direction.
3. Focusing on Internal Structure
Focus on the value chain, not your organizational chart or internal processes.
4. Making Maps Too Detailed
Keep your first maps simple. You can add complexity later as you learn.
5. Not Iterating
Wardley Maps are living documents. Update them regularly as you learn more.
Tools and Resources
Basic Tools
- Pen and paper - Perfect for your first maps
- Whiteboard - Great for collaborative mapping
- Simple drawing tools - Draw.io, Lucidchart, or similar
Advanced Tools (Later)
- Specialized mapping software - For more complex maps
- Collaborative platforms - For team mapping sessions
- Templates and frameworks - For consistent mapping
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Map Your Morning Coffee
Map the value chain for getting your morning coffee:
- User need: Wake up and get energy
- Components: Coffee beans, brewing equipment, coffee shop, etc.
- Evolution: From custom roasting to commodity coffee
Exercise 2: Map a Simple App
Choose a simple app you use daily:
- User need: What does the user want to achieve?
- Value chain: How does the app create value?
- Evolution: Which components are evolving?
Exercise 3: Map Your Job
Map your own role or department:
- User need: What value do you create for your organization?
- Value chain: How do you deliver that value?
- Evolution: Which parts of your role are changing?
Getting Help and Feedback
Join the Community
- Online forums - Connect with other mappers
- Social media - Follow Wardley Mapping practitioners
- Local meetups - Find practitioners in your area
Share Your Maps
- Get feedback from experienced mappers
- Learn from others by reviewing their maps
- Contribute to the community by sharing insights
Keep Learning
- Read case studies to see how others apply mapping
- Study examples from different industries
- Practice regularly to improve your skills
Next Steps
Once you've created your first map:
- Refine and iterate - Improve your map based on feedback
- Apply insights - Use your map to guide strategic decisions
- Share and discuss - Get feedback from colleagues and community
- Learn advanced techniques - Explore multi-level mapping and scenario planning
- Build a practice - Make mapping a regular part of your strategic thinking
Key Takeaways
- Start simple - Choose a familiar, straightforward project
- Learn fundamentals first - Understand value chains and evolution stages
- Practice regularly - Create maps for different situations
- Get feedback - Share your work and learn from others
- Keep iterating - Maps improve with practice and refinement
Remember, Wardley Mapping is a skill that develops with practice. Don't worry about creating perfect maps at first. Focus on learning the technique and applying it to real situations. The insights you gain will improve with each map you create.
Ready to start mapping? Begin with our Wardley Mapping 101 guide or explore our case studies to see mapping in action.