Intangible Deliverables26% of the exam
Ecosystem maps, coalitions and skilled relationships
Which relationships a challenge needs and how to build them: ecosystem mapping with stance colour-coding, a coalition of the willing through discovery, integration and partnership, team agreements and work styles, and Relationship Design for employees and communities.
Given evolving internal dynamics, identify the key relationships needed to solve the challenge statement.
~7 min read · 17 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Build an ecosystem map: who belongs on it (decision-makers, influencers, executives, teams removed from product development), their motivations, stance colours, and what the finished map reveals.
- Match an engagement tactic to a stakeholder's concern, and set realistic goals instead of converting everyone.
- Place coalition work in its phase (discovery, integration, partnership), read what a lack of interest signals, and add complementary skills.
- Create a team agreement, recognize work styles and apply the guidelines for skilled relationships.
- Apply Relationship Design to employee and community relationships, and involve builders, managers and users early.
- Key terms: ecosystem map (all key groups that influence a product or service); influencer (an internal individual with the power to shape how an idea is received); coalition of the willing (a mission-driven group of advocates, including sponsors and cross-functional members); team agreement (a job description for the whole team); skilled relationship (developing trust, inspiring others and solving problems together).
Key facts
Ecosystem map groups
- Detail
- Cross-functional teams, teams removed from development (finance), executive leadership
Decision-makers
- Detail
- Sponsors who greenlight the project and approve how it works
Stance colours
- Detail
- Red hesitant, yellow neutral, green supporter
Viability concern
- Detail
- Answer with related case studies of long-term value
Coalition phases, in order
- Detail
- Discovery, integration, partnership
No one excited in discovery
- Detail
- Might not be the right idea or the right time
Work-style categories
- Detail
- Tasks; coordination and communication; organizational activities
Foundation for resolving conflicts
- Detail
- Active listening
- Which three skills does a skilled relationship build on?
- Why does early ecosystem mapping save money?
- When a stakeholder's main draw is planning and advocating for resources, which work style fits?
- Why build a culture of critique among employees?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
Keep reading with the Platform Strategy Designer pack
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