Positioning Canvas
A strategic tool for defining and communicating your unique market position.
Strategy
Power Map
A strategic tool for identifying and building competitive moats using Hamilton Helmer's 7 Powers framework.
1What It Is
The Power Map is a diagnostic tool that helps you assess your current competitive position and identify opportunities to build durable advantages. Based on Hamilton Helmer's 7 Powers framework, it provides a structured way to evaluate each potential source of power in your market.
2When To Use It
Use the Power Map during annual strategic planning, when entering new markets, when evaluating acquisition targets, or when your competitive position feels threatened. It's particularly valuable for Series A+ companies that need to articulate their moat to investors.
3Steps
- 1.List your top 3-5 competitors and their primary advantages
- 2.For each of the 7 Powers, rate your current position (0-10)
- 3.Identify which Powers are theoretically available in your market
- 4.Prioritise 1-2 Powers to build over the next 12-24 months
- 5.Define specific initiatives that will strengthen each priority Power
- 6.Establish metrics to track progress on Power-building
4Examples
Tech Example
Stripe's Power Map reveals strong Process Power (developer experience), emerging Network Effects (platform ecosystem), and growing Scale Economies (payment processing infrastructure). Their strategic focus on developer tools directly strengthens their Process Power moat.
Luxury Example
Hermès demonstrates exceptional Branding power and Cornered Resource (artisan expertise). Their refusal to license or expand production capacity protects these advantages, even at the cost of short-term revenue.
Download Template
Get the PDF template to apply this framework to your business.