Over the last few months, I’ve been reading material by Frank W. Geels on the Multi Level Perspective, which uses arrows to visualize change and transition in the disposition of a market ecosystem. Here’s an example:
I was recently discussing evolution with a client on a call about Wardley Mapping, and I drew an impromptu diagram using the same sort of visualization style to elaborate on how characteristics change as a capability evolves.
It helped the concepts make sense on the call, so it might help you too. Here’s the drawing:
In particular, we’re focusing on the Data capability type (learn more about capability types here), which explains how we measure a thing.
In stage 1, capabilities are Unmodeled (since we know almost nothing about them). In stage 2, they traverse into Divergent (since we are exploring lots of different forms of the capability to see what works and is useful). As capabilities enter stage 3, they become Convergent (we’re gradually reducing difference and converging on a few basic forms of a given capability). Finally, as they enter stage 4, they become Modeled (totally known, very few or even only one basic form that we all understand completely).
Wardley Mapping has a lot of depth, and evolution in particular has so many interesting and different aspects to explore. Since it’s easy to become overwhelmed, I always recommend taking it one idea at a time.
The idea we focused on in this article is the Data capability type. See how this information affects the maps you make by choosing a component and asking yourself… Is this Unmodeled, Divergent, Convergent, or Modeled?
Happy mapping!