Glossary

C

Channel

A medium of interaction between Roles, either on-platform or off-platform. Channels both create opportunities and set constraints around a Touchpoint.

Consumer

An Ecosystem Role that generates demand and utilizes available supply on the Platform.

E

Ecosystem

A set of Entities motivated to act in a certain context (e.g. an organisation, an industry, or a sector ) through exchanging value, leveraging resources or generating outcomes.

Ecosystem Mobilisation

The act of better organising an Ecosystem, either by amplifying its existing value creations or by facilitating higher-order ones.

Ecosystem Role

One or more Entities with common motivations to participate in the Ecosystem, comparable assets to leverage, or shared outcomes sought after.

Enabler

An Ecosystem Role that supports value exchanges through technologies, products and services.

Entity

A person, an organisation or automated actor with specific objectives, freedom and boundaries, and resources and capabilities.

K

Keystone

The Ecosystem Role that orchestrates connections among Ecosystem members and works to increase overall diversity and productivity.

M

MVP

The Minimum Viable Platform is the minimum amount of Platform Design for the maximum amount of learning about future versions of the Ecosystem.

P

Platform

A business model that connects Entities and facilitates coordinated value exchanges between them, mediated by digital services for scale, scope and speed.

Platform Design

The activity of planning and executing for Ecosystem Mobilisation by means of a Platform.

Platform Participant

An Entity that joined the Platform.

Platform Position

1

The expression of why a platform's curated channels, tools, and rules will attract agents seeking to exchange goods, services, or social currency.

2

The series of architectural, technological and organisational bets that have to be made in order to fulfil and then maintain a platform's purpose.

Platform Scope

The opportunity for Ecosystem Mobilisation to address with Platform Design.

Platform Shaper

The person or organisation that sets the Platform Scope and directs its Design.

Producer

An Ecosystem Role that responds to demand and contributes to available supply on the Platform.

T

Touchpoint

A point interaction between Roles. It takes place at a certain moment in time, in a certain context, and with the intention of meeting specific needs.