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“Helicopter view” of a strategy: Why sometimes one should take a step back in order to move forward, and what does sociology have to do with it

stmm. 2025 (4): 191-201

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.04.191

Full text: https://stmm.in.ua/archive/ukr/2025-4/11.pdf

MYKOLA BONDARENKO, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology, Assistant Professor at the Department of Branch Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4D, Glushkova Ave., Kyiv, 03022)

nickybond@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6043-6357

The article is devoted to substantiating the feasibility of “helicopter view” during strategy creation. The main focus of the publication is on S. Wardley’s mapping methodology. The approach to “the strategy as a cycle” understanding was analyzed. The key elements of the cycle were identified. They included five strategic factors (purpose, landscape, climate, doctrine, and leadership), a decision-making “loop” (from observation to action), and two types of “why” questions useful for comprehending the components of the cycle. Particular attention was paid to the factors of “landscape” and “climate” as to the analysis of the “gameplay field” that determines the context necessary for a full understanding of the situation. In continuation of the topic analysis, it was confirmed that situations can be successfully captured by the map-based visualization. Key characteristics of strategic maps creation were revealed, and the methods of their usage were demonstrated. The meaning of overlaying map components on its axis (visibility of values and evolution) was explained. On the basis of a combination of strategic and sociological approaches, it was demonstrated how the usage of the cycle can help analytics and research in general. The significance of sociology for describing and measuring the strategic “landscape” and “climate” that determine the positioning of forces in business and politics was demonstrated. On the other hand, it was described how sociological research can rely on the strategic cycle foundation, emphasizing the theoretical and empirical sides of this process. It was clearly demonstrated how research can be “decomposed” into the elements through the use of mapping. The analytical and predictive potential of strategic maps for research or project decisions effectiveness elevation was proven.

Keywords: strategy; research strategy; strategic maps; cartography; mapping; sociology; research; tactics; visualization

References:

  1. Bondarenko, M. (2023). Planning the future, or Why sociologists should be familiar with strategy. [In Ukrainin]. In: Sociology and Contemporary Social Transformations: Proceedings of the 16th int. conf. of students and young scholars, Nov. 17, 2023 (pp. 142-143). Kyiv: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Retrieved from: https://sociology.knu.ua/sites/default/files/newsfiles/2023-sociology-and-contemporary-social-transformations-proceedings.pdf

  2. Bourdieu, P. (2009). Some properties of fields. In: S. Thornham, C. Bassett, P. Marris (Eds.), Media Studies: A Reader (pp. 94-99). Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474473231-012

  3. Boyd, J.R. (1995). The Essence of Winning and Losing. The John Boyd Library; Daniel Ford. Retrieved from: https://danford.net/boyd/essence4.htm

  4. Filippov, I. [RUUUSH]. (2024). Simon Wardley's Strategic Maps. [Video]. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNobQsF4bkM

  5. Sorokin, P.A. (1965). Sociology of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. American Sociological Review, 30(6), 833-843. https://doi.org/10.2307/2090963

  6. Sun Tzu. (2016). The Art of War (Tr.: S. Lesniak). [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: The Old Lion Publishing House.

  7. Wardley, S. (2014). Mapping the competitive landscape. «Bits or pieces?» Retrieved from: https://blog.gardeviance.org/2014/01/mapping-competitive-landscape.html

  8. Wardley, S. (2017). My basics for business strategy... in 11 diagrams. Medium, May 3. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/hackernoon/my-basics-for-mapping-a-business-5b20f364b216

  9. Wardley, S. (2022). Wardley Maps: Topographical Intelligence in Business (Eds.: S. Wardley, B. Mosior). Retrieved from: https://coach-agile.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Wardley-Maps-Simon-Wardley-compresse.pdf

Received 25.06.2025

“Helicopter view” of a strategy: Why sometimes one should take a step back in order to move forward, and what does sociology have to do with it

stmm. 2025 (4): 191-201

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.04.191

Full text: https://stmm.in.ua/archive/ukr/2025-4/11.pdf

MYKOLA BONDARENKO, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology, Assistant Professor at the Department of Branch Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4D, Glushkova Ave., Kyiv, 03022)

nickybond@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6043-6357

The article is devoted to substantiating the feasibility of “helicopter view” during strategy creation. The main focus of the publication is on S. Wardley’s mapping methodology. The approach to “the strategy as a cycle” understanding was analyzed. The key elements of the cycle were identified. They included five strategic factors (purpose, landscape, climate, doctrine, and leadership), a decision-making “loop” (from observation to action), and two types of “why” questions useful for comprehending the components of the cycle. Particular attention was paid to the factors of “landscape” and “climate” as to the analysis of the “gameplay field” that determines the context necessary for a full understanding of the situation. In continuation of the topic analysis, it was confirmed that situations can be successfully captured by the map-based visualization. Key characteristics of strategic maps creation were revealed, and the methods of their usage were demonstrated. The meaning of overlaying map components on its axis (visibility of values and evolution) was explained. On the basis of a combination of strategic and sociological approaches, it was demonstrated how the usage of the cycle can help analytics and research in general. The significance of sociology for describing and measuring the strategic “landscape” and “climate” that determine the positioning of forces in business and politics was demonstrated. On the other hand, it was described how sociological research can rely on the strategic cycle foundation, emphasizing the theoretical and empirical sides of this process. It was clearly demonstrated how research can be “decomposed” into the elements through the use of mapping. The analytical and predictive potential of strategic maps for research or project decisions effectiveness elevation was proven.

Keywords: strategy; research strategy; strategic maps; cartography; mapping; sociology; research; tactics; visualization

References:

  1. Bondarenko, M. (2023). Planning the future, or Why sociologists should be familiar with strategy. [In Ukrainin]. In: Sociology and Contemporary Social Transformations: Proceedings of the 16th int. conf. of students and young scholars, Nov. 17, 2023 (pp. 142-143). Kyiv: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Retrieved from: https://sociology.knu.ua/sites/default/files/newsfiles/2023-sociology-and-contemporary-social-transformations-proceedings.pdf

  2. Bourdieu, P. (2009). Some properties of fields. In: S. Thornham, C. Bassett, P. Marris (Eds.), Media Studies: A Reader (pp. 94-99). Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474473231-012

  3. Boyd, J.R. (1995). The Essence of Winning and Losing. The John Boyd Library; Daniel Ford. Retrieved from: https://danford.net/boyd/essence4.htm

  4. Filippov, I. [RUUUSH]. (2024). Simon Wardley's Strategic Maps. [Video]. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNobQsF4bkM

  5. Sorokin, P.A. (1965). Sociology of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. American Sociological Review, 30(6), 833-843. https://doi.org/10.2307/2090963

  6. Sun Tzu. (2016). The Art of War (Tr.: S. Lesniak). [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: The Old Lion Publishing House.

  7. Wardley, S. (2014). Mapping the competitive landscape. «Bits or pieces?» Retrieved from: https://blog.gardeviance.org/2014/01/mapping-competitive-landscape.html

  8. Wardley, S. (2017). My basics for business strategy... in 11 diagrams. Medium, May 3. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/hackernoon/my-basics-for-mapping-a-business-5b20f364b216

  9. Wardley, S. (2022). Wardley Maps: Topographical Intelligence in Business (Eds.: S. Wardley, B. Mosior). Retrieved from: https://coach-agile.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Wardley-Maps-Simon-Wardley-compresse.pdf

Received 25.06.2025

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