LEARNING THE RULES OF THE GAME: UNDERSTANDING CONSTRAINTS AND CHARACTERS

What Are Constraints and Characters?

Think about learning a new sport that you have never watched. What’s the first thing you would need to do in order to understand wtf is going on? You’d have to learn the rules, the players and the people involved right? Well, think about constraints and characters just like that. What are the rules, who are the key players? Constraints are the limitations, rules, or factors that can affect your strategy's execution, including regulations, resources, and internal or external expectations. Characters, on the other hand, are the stakeholders or entities that influence your mission, such as regulators, competitors, partners, and customers. Together, understanding these constraints and characters allows you to navigate challenges effectively while leveraging opportunities.

If you don’t know the rules you can’t figure out how to win. Similarly, not accounting for constraints can lead to unexpected roadblocks, while failing to recognize influential characters may cause you to overlook valuable allies or adversaries and how they impact the constraints. By explicitly mapping these factors, you can craft a strategy that anticipates potential obstacles and uses supportive characters to your advantage.

Types of Constraints and Characters:

1. Written Constraints: Formal rules or regulations, such as legal requirements or industry standards, that must be followed.
2. Unwritten Constraints: Social norms, expectations, or informal rules that influence decision-making and behavior.
3. Resource Constraints: Limitations related to budget, time, or personnel that impact your capacity to execute plans.
4. Personal and Interpersonal Constraints: Internal factors such as team dynamics or personal biases that may affect performance.

Character Mapping categorizes the people or entities who influence your mission:

• People Who Set Rules: Regulators or authorities who create written constraints.
• People Who Will Help: Partners, supporters, or advisors who can assist in achieving your goals.
• People Against Us: Competitors or adversaries who pose a challenge.
• People Who Benefit: Customers, clients, or other stakeholders who gain value from your success.

Why Are Constraints and Characters Important?

Recognizing constraints and mapping out influential characters helps ensure that your strategy is realistic and robust. It also helps you determine where and when you should put in effort. By understanding what rules you need to work within and who the key players are, you can anticipate challenges, identify allies, and avoid pitfalls. You can also figure out where not to waste energy or resources and what constraints you could possibly exploit. This awareness also empowers teams to align their actions with the bigger picture, ensuring that everyone understands the strategic landscape and can make decisions that support the mission.

Ignoring these elements can lead to unanticipated setbacks, wasted resources, or missed opportunities. Properly accounting for constraints and characters equips you to adapt swiftly and maintain strategic momentum.

Using Constraints and Characters Strategically

Mapping constraints and characters isn’t a one-time activity; it’s an ongoing process of assessing the landscape as it evolves. When faced with decisions, the Constraints  & Characters Map can be used to compare options by asking, "What constraints will impact us if we choose X vs. Y?" Similarly, understanding characters helps prioritize efforts, whether it’s nurturing key partnerships or monitoring competitors closely.

For instance, a fitness app might face data privacy regulations (written constraints), while customer expectations for free content versus premium features (unwritten constraints) could shape its pricing strategy. Key characters might include influential fitness influencers who can promote the app or competitors launching similar products. Regularly updating this map ensures the strategy adapts to changes and maintains relevance.

Leveraging the Constraint and Character Map for Teams

Teams can benefit from using the Constraint and Character Map to clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations. By outlining which constraints each member is responsible for managing and identifying which characters they interact with, teams can work more cohesively. This approach ensures that everyone understands the strategic landscape and can proactively address changes or emerging challenges.

Introducing the Constraint and Character Map

The Constraint and Character Map is a strategic tool designed to help you identify and categorize the factors and stakeholders that impact your mission. It guides you through:

1. Identifying Written and Unwritten Constraints: Mapping out formal rules and informal expectations.
2. Categorizing Characters: Understanding who sets the rules, who helps, who challenges you, and who benefits.
3. Evaluating Impact: Assessing how each constraint and character affects your strategy and adapting accordingly.

How to Use the Constraint and Character Map

1. Map Out Constraints: Start by listing all written and unwritten rules that impact your mission. Include resource constraints and internal factors.
2. Identify Key Characters: Categorize people or entities who can affect the outcome—positively or negatively.
3. Analyze Their Impact: Consider how constraints and characters interact with your strategy. Which ones pose the biggest challenges, and which offer the most support?
4. Adapt Your Strategy: Use this information to inform decisions and adjust your approach as conditions change.

Using the Constraint and Character Map

Imagine a startup aiming to launch an innovative health product. Written constraints may include regulatory approvals and manufacturing standards, while unwritten constraints could involve market expectations for sustainable packaging. Key characters could be regulatory agencies, potential customers, or established competitors with a large market share.

Start Mapping Your Constraints and Characters

The first step to a more robust strategy is understanding the landscape you’re navigating. Download the Constraint and Character Map tool to start identifying the limitations and stakeholders that shape your mission. With this knowledge, you can anticipate challenges, leverage key relationships, and adapt your strategy with confidence.