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Foundation LevelSyllabus

A Strategy Foundation candidate has proficiency in the analysis practices and technology concepts that support the development of strategies using Wardley Maps.

Who is this for?

WhoWhy
Strategic Decision Makers, CEOs, C-Suite, Board Members, VPs, Product ManagersDevelop strategy using Wardley Maps
Recruiters, Hiring Professionals, Hiring Line ManagersEvaluate candidates and understand their skills within the subject matter
Investors, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Angel InvestorsEvaluate and understand businesses using or seeking to use Wardley Mapping
Strategy Practitioners, Enterprise Architects, Public Policy ProfessionalsSupport current role and future career with Wardley Mapping capability
Wardley Mapping Users and Those Who Work with PractitionersUnderstand the framework, structure, processes and language used in Wardley Mapping

Learning Outcomes

The Foundation Level syllabus covers 8 learning outcome areas. A successful candidate should be able to recall, recognise and demonstrate understanding of the theories, design elements, processes and techniques outlined in the Body of Knowledge.

1

Key Terms, Concepts & Comparisons

Understand the key terms, concepts, benefits and features of Wardley Mapping and how it compares with other strategy methods.

Assessment Criteria

  • Recall key terms and concepts relating to Wardley Mapping
  • Understand the origins of Wardley Mapping and the problem it is trying to solve
  • Explain the benefits of using Wardley Maps
  • Demonstrate the value of using Wardley Maps
  • Explain the differences and similarities of Wardley Maps and other strategic methods
2

The Wardley Mapping Strategy Cycle

Understand the Wardley Mapping strategy cycle and its core components.

Assessment Criteria

  • Recall the three parts of the Strategy Cycle
  • Explain Sun Tzu's five factors: Purpose, Landscape, Climate, Doctrine, Leadership
  • Understand John Boyd's OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
  • Explain the two whys: Why of Purpose and Why of Movement
3

Evolution as a Concept

Understand evolution as a core concept of Wardley Mapping, including the stages and characteristics of evolution.

Assessment Criteria

  • Understand evolution as a pattern of change through supply and demand competition
  • Explain the four stages of evolution: Genesis, Custom, Product (+rental), Commodity (+utility)
  • Understand the types of components that evolve: Activities, Practices, Data, Knowledge
  • Explain the characteristics of each stage of evolution
4

Climatic Patterns

Understand climatic patterns in the context of Wardley Mapping and how they impact the landscape.

Assessment Criteria

  • Understand the basic climatic patterns of Wardley Maps
  • Describe the different domains: Uncharted, Transitional, Industrialised
  • Categorise climate patterns by their type
5

Doctrine

Understand doctrine in the context of Wardley Mapping, including phases, categories and principles.

Assessment Criteria

  • Understand the Wardley Doctrine phases
  • Understand the Wardley Doctrine categories: Communication, Development, Learning, Operations, Leading, Structure
  • Understand key Phase I doctrine principles such as knowing your users, focusing on user needs, and using appropriate methods
6

Inertia

Understand inertia in the context of Wardley Mapping, including its causes, types and impact.

Assessment Criteria

  • Explain what inertia is and how it manifests as resistance to change
  • Identify inertia on a Wardley Map
  • Understand the categories of inertia: disruption of past norms, transition to the new, agency of the new, and business model
7

Context-Specific Gameplay

Understand what context-specific gameplay is within the framework of Wardley Mapping.

Assessment Criteria

  • Know what context-specific gameplay is: the actions you can take to create the most advantageous situation
8

Classifying Situational Awareness

Classify your organisation's current situational awareness using Wardley Mapping tools.

Assessment Criteria

  • Understand how to classify an organisation's situational awareness
  • Understand how to classify an organisation's Wardley Doctrine through a doctrine assessment

Explore the Body of Knowledge

Dive deeper into the concepts covered in the Foundation syllabus with these reference pages.