A network operator value chain mapped by evolution A Wardley map plots a value chain by how visible each part is to the user against how evolved it is, and every part drifts rightward over time, so anything still custom-built on the left is where to invest, while what has reached commodity is best rented as a metered utility.
A network operator value chain mapped by evolution
A Wardley map for a distribution network operator drawn on two blue axes. The vertical axis is visibility to the user, pointing up, with the user need keep the power on set as a filled accent anchor at the top. The horizontal axis is evolution, pointing right through four banded columns: Genesis, Custom-built, Product and Commodity. Seven components are plotted as nodes joined by dependency lines down the value chain, from connections service and network capacity data high up to compute and grid power at the bottom right as commodities. The stage headers name and gloss the four bands, and the chain reads so that anything still custom-built on the left is where investment belongs.
Genesis Novel, uncertain Custom-built Bespoke, hand-built Product Bought, rented Commodity Utility, metered
Visible to the user
Evolution: novel to industrialised
User: keep the power on
Connections service
Network capacity data (LTDS)
SCADA telemetry
Asset register
Compute
Grid power
Source: Simon Wardley, Wardley Mapping (CC BY-SA)
