Evolution Analysis Skill

Analyze component evolution stages, movement patterns, and climatic forces affecting strategic positioning.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Evolution Analysis tasks - Working on analyze component evolution and movement patterns

• Planning or design - Need guidance on Evolution Analysis approaches

• Best practices - Want to follow established patterns and standards

MANDATORY: Documentation-First Approach

Before analyzing evolution:

• Invoke docs-management skill for evolution patterns

• Verify evolution characteristics via MCP servers (perplexity)

• Base guidance on Wardley's climatic patterns

Evolution Framework

Evolution Stages and Characteristics:

Stage I: GENESIS ├── Poorly understood ├── Uncertain ├── Unpredictable ├── Constantly changing ├── Exciting/wonder ├── Low failure tolerance └── Requires exploration

Stage II: CUSTOM-BUILT ├── Emerging understanding ├── Growing market ├── Increasing stability ├── Divergent approaches ├── Best practice emerging └── Requires differentiation

Stage III: PRODUCT (+RENTAL) ├── Well understood ├── Feature competition ├── Stable architectures ├── Defined best practices ├── Market consolidation └── Requires market fit

Stage IV: COMMODITY (+UTILITY) ├── Ubiquitous ├── Standardized ├── Cost-focused ├── Operational excellence ├── Highly predictable └── Requires efficiency

Evolution Indicators

Stage Assessment Checklist

Genesis Indicators: □ No established market □ Uncertain about what's possible □ High experimentation □ Frequent pivots □ Experts disagree on approach □ No clear pricing model □ Failure is expected

Custom Indicators: □ Growing understanding □ Talent is scarce □ Multiple competing approaches □ Early adopters engaged □ Starting to see patterns □ Custom development required □ Premium pricing accepted

Product Indicators: □ Clear market exists □ Feature comparison possible □ Documentation exists □ Training available □ Established vendors □ Predictable delivery □ Competitive pricing

Commodity Indicators: □ Ubiquitous availability □ Standard interfaces □ Utility pricing □ Focus on cost reduction □ Scale operations □ Interchangeable suppliers □ SLA-driven decisions

Climatic Patterns

Patterns That Affect Evolution

Climatic Pattern Categories:

1. EVERYTHING EVOLVES

   • No component remains static
   • Evolution driven by competition
   • Supply and demand drives movement

2. CHARACTERISTICS CHANGE

   • What matters changes with evolution
   • Early: Functionality matters
   • Late: Price and reliability matter

3. NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL

   • Different methods for different stages
   • Agile for genesis, Six Sigma for commodity
   • Pioneer/Settler/Town Planner model

4. EFFICIENCY ENABLES INNOVATION

   • Commoditized components enable new genesis
   • Higher-order systems emerge from utilities
   • Cloud enabled SaaS explosion

5. HIGHER ORDER SYSTEMS CREATE NEW SOURCES OF WORTH

   • Combinations create new value
   • API economy examples
   • Platform plays

6. PAST SUCCESS BREEDS INERTIA

   • Success creates resistance to change
   • Organizational and individual inertia
   • Requires active management

Weak Signals of Evolution

Signs a Component is About to Evolve:

Genesis → Custom:

• Successful experiments being replicated
• Hiring for specific expertise
• Conference talks appearing
• Blog posts explaining "how we did X"

Custom → Product:

• Common patterns documented
• Books being written
• Training courses available
• Vendors appearing
• Open source implementations

Product → Commodity:

• Feature wars declining
• Price competition increasing
• API standardization
• Utility pricing models
• Cloud/SaaS offerings

Inertia Analysis

Types of Inertia

Inertia Type Description Signs

Success "It worked before" Resistance to change successful patterns

Capital Sunk cost Large investments in existing approach

Political Power structures Empires built on current technology

Skills Team capabilities Teams expert in current approach

Supplier Vendor relationships Long-term contracts, relationships

Consumer User expectations Users expect current approach

Overcoming Inertia

Inertia Management Strategies:

1. ACKNOWLEDGE

   • Recognize inertia exists
   • Don't fight it directly
   • Understand the source

2. CREATE ALTERNATIVES

   • Build parallel capability
   • Don't force immediate switch
   • Let new approach prove itself

3. MANAGE TRANSITION

   • Gradual migration
   • Clear sunset timelines
   • Training and support

4. ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES

   • Skill development
   • Relationship management
   • Political navigation

Movement Analysis

Predicting Movement

Movement Prediction Framework:

COMPETITIVE PRESSURE ├── High competition → Faster evolution ├── Low margins → Commodity imminent └── Feature convergence → Product → Commodity

TECHNOLOGY SHIFTS ├── New enabling technology ├── Cost reduction breakthroughs └── Standardization efforts

MARKET DYNAMICS ├── User demand patterns ├── Regulatory changes └── Economic pressures

ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS ├── Adjacent commoditization ├── Platform availability └── Developer adoption

Movement Speed

Factor Faster Evolution Slower Evolution

Competition High Low (monopoly)

Standardization Industry efforts Proprietary lock-in

Capital VC investment Limited funding

Regulation Minimal Heavy regulation

Network effects Strong Weak

Analysis Template

Evolution Analysis: [Component/System]

Current Position Assessment

Component Inventory

Evolution Evidence

Genesis Stage Components:

• [Component]: [Why it's in genesis]

Evolving Components:

• [Component]: Moving from [stage] to [stage]
• Evidence: [Signs of movement]

Climatic Patterns Active

Relevant Patterns

1. [Pattern]: [How it affects this context]
2. [Pattern]: [How it affects this context]

Inertia Assessment

Sources of Inertia

Movement Forecast

6-Month Horizon

• [Component] likely to evolve to [stage]
• Trigger: [What will cause movement]

18-Month Horizon

• [Component] likely to evolve to [stage]
• Industry trend: [Supporting evidence]

Strategic Implications

Opportunities

• [Opportunity from evolution]

Threats

• [Threat from evolution]

Recommended Actions

1. [Action based on evolution analysis]
2. [Action based on inertia management]

Evolution Timeline Patterns

Typical Evolution Timelines:

FAST (2-5 years through all stages):

• Consumer internet services
• Mobile apps
• Cloud features
• AI/ML capabilities (currently)

MEDIUM (5-15 years):

• Enterprise software categories
• Development practices
• Infrastructure patterns

SLOW (15-30+ years):

• Physical infrastructure
• Regulated industries
• Deep technical systems

Acceleration Factors:

• Open source adoption
• Cloud availability
• Developer community
• VC investment
• API-first design

Workflow

When analyzing evolution:

• Inventory Components: List all relevant components

• Assess Current Stage: Use indicators checklist

• Identify Movement: Look for evolution signals

• Analyze Inertia: Understand resistance sources

• Predict Timing: Estimate movement speed

• Strategic Implications: What does this mean for decisions?

References

For detailed guidance:

Last Updated: 2025-12-26