Family, Strategy, and Wardley Mapping: The Antidote to Procrastination

Ever tried building a Wardley Map? Yeah, me neither – until recently. Thanks to Pete Tansey (agilePete) from Agile CoLab, I dove into the fascinating world of Wardley Mapping for the first time. With Cheryl Tansey 🤘🏼 from Humans at Work leading the way, we ventured into strategic mapping without getting too lost in the weeds.

Now, let’s talk about the highlight of the event—there were not one, not two, but THREE Tanseys involved. My dad, my sister, and I all played a part in this mapping extravaganza. It was a Tansey takeover, and trust me, it was awesome. Who says you can’t mix business with family?

One of the key takeaways from the event was that it can take up to seven years from the moment you hear about Wardley Mapping to actually building your first map. Seven years! If you’ve been putting it off, this is your antidote to procrastination. The beauty of Wardley Maps isn’t about getting them perfect (because none of them are). It’s all about understanding where you stand and making sense of the evolving landscape.

As a strategic visual storyteller at Indi Dust, I bring clarity to complex ideas through visuals. This time, I captured the Wardley Mapping process live, turning Pete’s expert breakdown into a visual timelapse that shows the strategy come to life. It’s a perfect intro for anyone curious about how mapping works or just loves watching a good drawing unfold.

So, whether you’re a strategy nerd or just looking to conquer your Wardley Mapping fears, grab a coffee (or wine, no judgment here) and watch the replay

Watch as we break down the barriers to strategic mapping—one Tansey, one map, and one epic timelapse at a time.

For more info, check out:

• Agile Pete: agilecolab.com

• Cheryl Tansey: linkedin.com/in/cheryltansey

Curious about Wardley Mapping? Start here:

• Wardley Mapping: learnwardleymapping.com

• MapKeep: mapkeep.com

3 steps to transform your event with live visual storytelling

At Indi Dust, we don’t just draw—we actively listen and map conversations, capturing the heart and soul of your event. Through live visual storytelling, we transform spoken words into engaging visuals that bring your story to life, whether in-person or virtually. Here’s how you can make the most out of this experience and ensure your event is a success.

Step 1: Planning for Success

Your journey with Indi Dust begins with a planning chat where we’ll get to the core of what you want to achieve. This is the time to share your event’s purpose, key themes, and any brand guidelines. Early involvement means we can align the visuals with your event’s flow and goals, ensuring everything comes together seamlessly on the day.

Checklist:

☑️ Book a planning chat with Indi Dust

☑️ Define the visual style and mood you want to convey

☑️ Share your brand guidelines

☑️ Confirm the event schedule, including breaks

☑️ Choose a person to be Indi's point of contact for the day of the event

☑️ Share venue and parking info

Step 2: Event Day Action

On the day, the setup is key to ensuring a smooth and impactful visual storytelling experience. I’ll arrive early to conduct a tech check, set up in a good spot with a clear view, and ensure everything is in place for capturing the event’s essence. Having the MC or host introduce me will help to engage the audience right from the start. Throughout the event, creating interactive opportunities for attendees will enhance their experience and keep the energy high.

Checklist:

☑️ Arrange early arrival for tech check and setup

☑️ Ensure access to power, internet and HDMI connection

☑️ Set up in a position with a clear view of the stage or main area

☑️ Have the MC/event host introduce the visual storyteller

☑️ Plan for attendee interaction opportunities

Step 3: Post-Event Amplification of Your Message

After the event, I’ll provide you with high-quality digital files of the visuals, ready for you to use in post-event communication. These branded outputs are perfect for social media, newsletters, or as part of your follow-up strategy, helping to extend the impact of your event.

Checklist:

☑️ Plan how to use the visuals post-event (e.g., social media, newsletters)

☑️ Discuss your preferred formats for digital files

☑️ Review and approve the final visuals for sharing

☑️ Incorporate the visuals into your post-event communications

By following these steps, you’ll get the most out of your live event visual storytelling experience with Indi Dust. We’ll work together to ensure that the visuals not only capture the essence and energy of your event but also help you amplify your message long after the day is done.

Ready to wow your audience? Let’s chat!

Navigating allyship through visual storytelling

A case study with Evolve Communities

In a recent webinar hosted by Evolve Communities, the topic of "How to be an Ally on Australia Day" dived into the challenging and divisive aspects surrounding January 26th. Aunty Munya Andrews, Carla Rogers, and Kate Kelleher led an insightful discussion, inviting participants to explore the origins of Australia Day and its impact on First Nations peoples. The session aimed to engage those curious, concerned, and committed to creating a kinder, more inclusive Australia.

"Big esso (thank you in Torres Strait Creole) to the deadly ✨ Indi Tansey for joining our Survival Day Webinar last week as our visual storyteller." – Aunty Munya 

Challenges and Importance of Visual Storytelling: Addressing the complexities and sensitivities of Australia's history, the webinar required a respectful conversation. Emotions run high on this divisive topic, making it helpful to have a visual storyteller. Indi Dust's live scribing became a powerful tool to navigate the intricacies, offering a map of understanding from historical origins to the challenges faced by First Nations people and guidance on being an ally.

^ Watch the summary video of the live drawing to see the story come to life.

During the webinar, visual storytelling played a pivotal role in conveying messages. Indi crafted a visual pathway through the canvas, addressing challenges such as the labelling of opposition to 'Australia Day' as 'woke.' The engaging and inclusive approach was warmly received, with the post-event summary timelapse garnering hundreds of views and positive feedback on social media.

"You captured the yarn so wonderfully." – Angie Perkins

Envisioning future use and value: Indi Dust sees visual storytelling as a medium to unravel nuanced narratives, fostering understanding and dialogue around challenging topics. The unique opportunity to explore and learn through visuals creates a shared canvas, offering a powerful avenue for meaningful discussions.

Takeaway for organisations and individuals: For those considering visual storytelling for events with sensitive topics, the Evolve Communities webinar serves as a great example. Visual representation, as demonstrated by Indi Dust, becomes a respectful map, fostering understanding and creating a shared canvas for meaningful dialogue—a transformative approach to navigating complex and sensitive discussions.

"Thank you Indi for your wonderful graphic at Evolve Communities webinar today. You captured the essence of the conversation perfectly." – Melody Edwardson

Here is my post-event summary describing the Indi Dust process.