Evolution describes a component’s movement from uncertain, novel origins toward increasingly ordered, known, stable, measured, and efficient forms. In Wardley Mapping, components may also die, and their position is a reasoned assessment rather than an objective fact. section 5.4.1
Use evolution as a collaborative way to examine change:
- Assess a component against characteristics such as uncertainty, predictability, stability, and competitive advantage. section 5.3.2 section 5.4.1
- Discuss divergent assessments instead of forcing a supposedly correct placement; disagreement exposes differences in mental models. section 5.3.2
- Consider demand, competition, external events, and emerging components when anticipating future movement. section 5.4 section 5.4.1
From novelty to expectation
Mobile-phone cameras illustrate evolution: they began as an exciting, differentiated capability and became a table-stakes expectation, while retaining limited room for differentiation. section 5.4.1
Table 5.3 Some characteristics that change with evolution (view table figure)
Compare the uncharted and industrialized ends of evolution across uncertainty, order, predictability, stability, margins, and competitive advantage. section 5.4.1
