Accelerator

As explained in Architecture Modernization: Socio-technical alignment of software, strategy, and structure

An accelerator is an action intended to speed the evolution of one or more components in a strategic landscape.

An accelerator is an action intended to speed the evolution of one or more components in a strategic landscape. Apply it by examining each component on a Wardley Map, considering where faster evolution could create advantage, and selecting an appropriate action. section 5.5.1

Common accelerator directions include:

• Open approaches, such as open sourcing, broaden participation and enable community-driven innovation. section 5.5.1
• Cooperation can intentionally speed component evolution, while the strategic effect depends on how the action changes competitive advantage. section 5.6

TensorFlow as an open-source accelerator

TensorFlow began as an internal Google Brain capability. Open-sourcing it allowed a broad community to contribute and develop it, trading exclusive advantage for wider innovation, potential competitor advantage reduction, and brand reputation. section 5.5.1

Figure 5.12 Visualizing accelerators on a Wardley Map

Use the Wardley Map notation to mark an accelerator with a fat arrow and show which component’s evolution is being deliberately sped up. section 5.5.1

How Architecture Modernization: Socio-technical alignment of software, strategy, and structure covers it

How deep it goes

Defines the action, selection heuristic, and map notation, but does not provide a complete accelerator catalogue or detailed implementation procedure.

Examples

Uses open-sourced TensorFlow, the .NET Framework, and fat-arrow Wardley Map notation as examples.

What it assumes

Assumes a Wardley Map with identifiable components and introduces accelerator selection through component-by-component strategic questioning.

What you can do after

Apply it by mapping components, assessing evolutionary advantage, and selecting an accelerator to visualize as a fat arrow.

How it connects

Connects Wardley Maps, open source, cooperation, competitive advantage, and de-accelerators.

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Related concepts

• evolutionproduces · Evolution is the cumulative change in the characteristics, structure, or behavior of a population or system across successive generations or states.
• network effectincludes · A network effect is a phenomenon in which a product or service becomes more valuable to users as more participants join or contribute to its network.
• open sourceuses · Open-source software is software whose source code is available under a license permitting use, study, modification, and redistribution.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Architecture Modernization: Socio-technical alignment of software, strategy, and structure. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.