Definition
A picture of how clients create value for their clients, similar to a "client does one thing" stream, is constructed from a critical picture perspective.
In detail
An ecosystem is a map that depicts the complete picture of how a customer creates value for their customers, similar to a value stream map of "a customer getting a job done." From the perspective of key personas (e.g., end users, buyers), it shows the participants, activities, and interactions, helping the team step outside their own product to understand the full chain required for customer success. In the system, it is used for strategic planning and innovation, identifying unmet needs and growth opportunities. Unlike a value stream map, an ecosystem focuses more on external customers and markets than internal processes. Its output is typically a visual map that serves as input for business cases and product development.
Example in practice
When a company plans to enter a new market or develop a new product, the team uses an ecosystem map to outline how target customers accomplish core tasks, including the parties involved, tools, and pain points. For example, a medical device company maps the complete process of hospital procurement and equipment use, discovering a disconnect between doctors and nurses in data recording. Based on this, the team identifies improvement directions and uses them as the basis for subsequent business case development.