Wardley Mapping - Arraying A(P)I Armories
Balachandhiran Sankaran
Systems Coach and Story Listener- Connecting to Simplicity through Compelling Narratives | Member of NDLCA | Innovation Choice Architect | AI Agility | Open Banking- FinTech
In this article, we will explore the elements of Wardley Mapping and how to construct them, using an example to map an AI strategy and discuss the competitive edge of accelerating AI agility with the API-first approach.
In a world of scarce resources, globalization without new technology is unsustainable. ― Peter Thiel Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Are we excited to map and surf the tech tides of AI with a powerful API-first strategy?!
Creating Wardley Mapping:
A Wardley Map helps decompose a product along the value chain to understand the structure and market forces influencing its evolution. The vertical axis shows dependencies, while the horizontal axis tracks the maturity of each component.
Everything progresses from left to right in response to the forces of supply and demand competition
Evolutionary Stages:
A Simple illustration:
Simon Wardley explains the creation of a Wardley map with a simple and insightful tea shop example.
When we create a Wardley map, we start by identifying users and their needs. For instance, a tea shop has users like the business that wants to sell cups of tea to the public who will drink it. The public and the business are connected through a cup of tea. Once we have users and needs, we expand by considering what capabilities and components are needed to make a cup of tea, creating a graph or chain of requirements. We then order this chain by placing users at the top and arranging components based on their visibility.
For example, a cup of tea requires tea, hot water, and a cup. We determine which element is most visible by considering how often we request specific types of tea compared to the cup or the hot water. After ordering the chain, we evaluate how evolved each component is and place them along an evolution axis, ranging from genesis (new and unique) to commodity. This process results in the Wardley map.
API in AI Wonderland:
APIs are the invisible wiring that connects and powers the AI Wonderland, enabling every intricate mechanism to function seamlessly and unlock the magic within!
APIs are more than just tools; they are the fuel powering the AI-driven digital economy, enabling seamless connections between diverse applications and services. Together, APIs weave a protective guard shield, strengthening businesses with the power to harness AI’s capabilities and adapt to rapid changes.
APIs enable seamless integration and communication between AI models and applications. They allow AI-driven functionalities to be embedded into existing systems. APIs facilitate data exchange, making AI insights actionable. In the AI era, APIs are essential for scalability and automation in software development.
API-first world:
In an API-first world, the design, development, and deployment of applications prioritize APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) as the core foundation. This approach ensures that APIs are considered fundamental from the beginning rather than as an afterthought. It involves designing and developing the API before implementing the application.
As businesses increasingly adopt cloud technologies, including containerization and microservices, an API-first approach becomes crucial. It helps manage the complexities of cloud environments, enhancing efficiency and integration.
Drawbacks of Code-first approach:
In a code-first approach, development begins by writing code in an integrated development environment (IDE), focusing primarily on core functionality rather than the API interface. The API is implemented later, often resulting in it being adjusted to fit the core service, which can make it feel like an afterthought to users.
This method can lead to a fragmented developer experience and potential bottlenecks, as dependent teams can only start their work once the API version is completed and deployed. This traditional waterfall process can cause delays and higher costs, as feedback and adjustments occur late in development, after significant time and resources have already been invested.
Benefits of API-first approach:
Traditional code-first methods often lead to delays, rework, or fragmented development experiences. Even major companies like Amazon, Uber, and Netflix, which initially succeeded with monolithic architectures, have transitioned to microservices and API-first strategies. This shift has allowed them to scale and adapt their services across various platforms more effectively.
An API-first strategy entails designing the API before implementation.
The process typically involves:
This structured approach ensures that APIs are well-planned, tested, and integrated, streamlining development and enhancing overall functionality.
Steps to become an API-first company:
An API-first approach offers several advantages: it allows for early validation and quick adjustments, simplifies complexity through clear abstraction, decouples dependencies to enable parallel team work, and promotes faster growth by designing scalable APIs. This approach also encourages creativity and innovation by focusing on API design before dealing with legacy code constraints.
Accelerating AI Agility:
Let’s explore a potential AI strategy with an API-first approach using Wardley Mapping.
Here’s a high-level breakdown of the elements you’ll need:
1. User and Needs:
User: Developers, Product Teams, or Businesses.
Need: Access to AI capabilities through easy-to-use APIs to integrate into their own products.
2. Components:
Below are the possible activities/components required to fulfill the need:
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3. Assess Evolution Stages:
Categorize Components:
Experimental AI Models and Research: Early-stage, cutting-edge AI research and prototype models.
Proprietary AI Models: Custom solutions tailored to specific business needs.
Initial API Implementations: Ad-hoc APIs designed for specific applications.
Standardized AI Models: Well-defined, proven AI models.
API-First Design: Established practice of designing APIs as central components of development.
AI-as-a-Service: Standardized AI services offered by cloud providers (e.g., Google Cloud AI, AWS AI).
Commercial APIs: Mature, widely adopted APIs for common functionalities.
4. Plot the Map:
Position components vertically based on their role in delivering value, from bottom (Data Infrastructure, Core Technologies) to top (Customer Needs).
Arrange the components horizontally based on their evolutionary stage, from Genesis on the left to Commodity on the right.
5. Analyze the Map:
Look for areas where components are transitioning or where gaps exist between evolutionary stages.
Determine if the API-First approach can address any current limitations in scalability, integration, or development efficiency.
Adopt API-First Design: Transition from custom-built APIs to a standardized API-First approach to enhance consistency and integration.
Standardize API Practices: Implement best practices for API design, documentation, and management.
Leverage AI-as-a-Service: Utilize standardized AI services where appropriate to accelerate development and reduce maintenance.
6. Refine and Update:
Continuously update the map as your AI strategy and technology landscape evolve.
Collect feedback from stakeholders and track performance metrics to refine your strategy.
Summary:
In the age of AI, Everything is an API - A thoughtful insight from Abhinav Asthana - CEO Postman!
Nothing works in isolation!
Everything is part of a larger system!
Designing systems with an API-first approach decouples dependencies and optimizes the flow of value. In today's fast-paced, interconnected AI digital world, the API-first approach is more than a technical shift— it's a strategic transformation that aligns with Systems Thinking, enhances Customer Experience, and reinforces Agile ways of working.
By prioritizing APIs as the foundation of your architecture, we manage dependencies seamlessly, decouple teIn this article, we will explore the elements of Wardley Mapping and how to construct them, using an example to map an AI strategy and discuss the competitive edge of accelerating AI agility with the API-first approach.
APIs are essential to microservices-based app development.
Therefore, the growing popularity of microservices-based apps has led to a corresponding rise in API-first development strategies.
By embracing API-first, we not only future-proof your systems but also drive agility, speed, and a customer-first mindset.
References:
My hearty thanks to all my well-wishers Katrijn van Oudheusden Gab Ciminelli Mohammad Umar Farooq Sairam Venkataraman Dr.Viswanatha Sivam Krishnamurthy Karolin Helbig Steve Tendon for the continuous encouragement.
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