Wardley Mapping
Reference model
Wardley Mapping helps teams visualize their business context and strategic options.
About this model
A visual representation of a business's components, their maturity, and the competitive landscape, created by Simon Wardley in 2014.
Originator not stated.
How to read it
- Start by identifying the user needs and components.
- Position components based on their maturity and visibility.
What this does
Visualizes the components of a business and their evolution over time, helping teams understand their context and make strategic decisions.
When to use it
Use it when you need to clarify the landscape of your business, identify opportunities, and align your team on strategy.
Not when: Do not use it when the environment is static or when you lack the data to map the components effectively.
What happens next
Develop a strategy based on the insights from the map.
Golden thread
Builds on ←
- User needs assessment
- Business component inventory
Feeds into →
- Strategic action plan
Use this tool, free
Sign in to open the worksheet. Your work saves as you type, the AI can draft the parts you have not filled in, and you finish with an analysis and a 30/60/90-day action plan.
Drafted with AI and reviewed by Eccellere on 04/11/2026. Guidance, not advice: apply your own judgement.