An enterprise is like… the Milky Way!
Or at least, that’s the name of one of the tools you can use to understand your business. I’d like to introduce you to the Milky Way Map, a tool from Intersection, which I learned about from Annika Klyver. There are many tools for understanding a company’s structure and functions, such as the BMC (Business Model Canvas) or the Venn diagram from EDGY. But what happens when each team or silo needs a clearer view of how the company operates as a whole?
Have you already mapped your teams’ processes? If so, that’s a great start. But have you ever mapped out how your teams work together? That’s a much harder task—and it’s rare to see it done well, if at all. That’s where the Milky Way Map comes in. It provides a visualization of your enterprise and shows how different teams, which often work in silos, interact (or don’t) across the organization.
From high-level to high-precision
Your company has an identity and a purpose, an architecture that enables the creation and delivery of a product or service, and it delivers an experience to your customers and employees. Each team needs to understand how these facets apply in their specific context. Thus, your core facets should be divided and adapted for every team.
Typically, I use EDGY, the Venn diagram, and the Milky Way model to create a coherent analysis of the enterprise. By identifying the core of the enterprise’s identity, architecture, and experience, I can use these anchor points to ensure each team aligns with the company’s core values.
To infinity and beyond
A high-level MilkyWay and EDGY analysis, as I approach it, may not be the biggest revelation for your enterprise. What’s truly important is the journey you choose to undertake afterward. From there, you can decide to dive deeper into the capabilities or the experience of another EDGY element.
- Where do things break down?
- Are we operating at 100% efficiency?
- What are our customers’ priorities?
- What is their experience when they engage with us?
- And what about our employees’ experience?
- Are we able to meet our customers’ needs?
- How does this silo impact the next one?
“We don’t map for the sake of mapping. We map to identify gaps, opportunities, and problems.” Optimizing individual departments matters, but understanding how they connect is essential. Using the Milkyway method encourages dialogue about enterprise-wide functioning, enabling meaningful cross-departmental collaboration.
In a galaxy near you
Like science fiction narratives, the exploration continues indefinitely. However, participants must create their own framework. Begin by documenting what you understand, then venture toward areas with untapped potential.
Bon voyage!
P.S. Funnily enough, in Star Trek, the ship is called the Enterprise.
