Learn Wardley Mapping with small, targeted actions

Tristan Slominski

Apr 8, 2024

A table displaying Wardley's Doctrine, which lists universally useful patterns that a user can apply regardless of context. The table is divided into five columns: Communication, Development, Operation, Learning, and Leading, and Structure. It's further categorized into four phases, from Phase I to IV, each with a set of guiding principles like 'Use appropriate methods,' 'Be pragmatic,' 'Manage failure,' 'Bias towards data,' and 'Think small teams.' The bottom of the image has a note indicating 'Steve Purkis Variation,' suggesting a specific adaptation of the doctrine.

Learning Wardley Mapping can feel overwhelming due to its complexity and the depth of analysis required to apply it effectively across different domains. The sheer volume of material and the broad applicability can make the inital learning curve steep. This is where the concept of “microdoctrine” offers a promising approach to demistify the process, making learning and application more manageable and structured.

Microdoctrine, inspired by the pattern language approach, reimagines the way we learn and apply the principles of Wardley Mapping. It breaks down the expansive doctrine into bite-sized, actionable practices tailored for individual learning and adoption. This method not only facilitates a deeper understanding of each principle but also provides a clear path for practical application. By focusing on specific practices within the broader doctrine, you can incrementally build competence and confidence in applying Wardley Mapping to real-world scenarios.

A key feature of the microdoctrine approach is its structure, which organizes learning into phases, categories, principles, and practices. Each element is designed to address specific aspects of doctrine adoption, starting from foundational practices aimed at preventing self-harm and gradually advancing to more complex strategies. For instance, the "Stop Self Harm" phase emphasizes understanding user needs and aligning value generation accordingly, with practices like examining transactions to uncover unmet needs or unnecessary steps in the customer journey.

The sequential nature of microdoctrine, highlighted by the "Consider these first…" and "Consider next…" links, guides you through the doctrine in a logical, step-by-step manner. This sequencing is not just about learning in isolation but is aimed at delivering immediate benefits while laying the groundwork for adopting future practices. It encourages action and experimentation, urging you to apply your learnings in tangible ways, gradually building your expertise and making strategic decision-making more intuitive and effective.

Microdoctrine reinforces the idea that strategic thinking and action should be accessible, iterative, and continuously evolving. For those of you embarking on the journey of learning Wardley Mapping, Microdoctrine offers a guided, practical path forward, ensuring that each step taken is both meaningful and impactful.