Mapping Meta Models

Introduction: From Insight to Action

The Meta Layer, once revealed, becomes the lens through which meaningful performance improvement can occur. But knowing it exists isn’t enough. To drive value, organisations must be able to define their current (As-Is) state, design their future (To-Be) state, and clearly identify the gap between the two. This gap forms the basis of your performance transformation journey.

This chapter shows how to apply the SPARA framework to:

Visualise the current state of your metamodel
Design a fit-for-purpose target model
Assess maturity across key levers (without creating barriers)
Build a sequenced roadmap to performance improvement

SPARA is flexible enough to be used in large-scale transformations and smaller engagements. The artifacts and models introduced here can be scaled to fit context, capability, and ambition.

Capturing the As-Is Metamodel

Purpose: Create a clear picture of how performance is currently enabled, constrained, and measured.

Approach:

Stakeholder Interviews: Explore decision-making, governance pain points, and current value flow.
Artefact Review: Existing org charts, policy documents, KPI reports, service/process maps.
Workshop Mapping: Create a collaborative Metamodel Canvas session with cross-functional teams.

Key Questions:

What rules and roles currently define how work flows?
Where are the invisible bottlenecks or gaps in ownership?
What tools or data sources drive decisions?
How is performance defined, and by whom?

Artifact: Metamodel Canvas (As-Is) Includes:

Strategic drivers
Key roles and accountabilities
Governance structures
Performance data flows
Systems and integration points

Designing the To-Be Metamodel

Purpose: Create a target model aligned to your desired performance outcomes and maturity aspirations.

Approach:

Visioning Workshops: Use future-state scenario design with leadership teams.
Lever Alignment: Apply the five SPARA levers to each area of the canvas.
Design Principles: Use standardised principles such as simplicity, agility, alignment, and flow.

Key Questions:

What decisions should be made where in the new model?
How should value be measured, tracked, and refined?
What level of autonomy and role empowerment is required?
What systems and data need to interoperate to support agility?

Artifact: Metamodel Canvas (To-Be)

Designed using the same structure as the As-Is for comparison
Includes target state attributes, risks, and enablers

Defining the Gap

Purpose: Identify and prioritise the difference between current and future state to drive change.

Approach:

Gap Mapping Matrix: Compare each lever across As-Is vs To-Be
Pain Point Heatmaps: Identify areas of friction, ambiguity, or risk
Quick Wins vs Strategic Shifts: Categorise actions by impact and complexity

Artifact: SPARA Gap Assessment Template

Rows: Each SPARA lever
Columns: Current maturity, target maturity, gap description, recommended actions

Optional Artifact: SPARA Maturity Snapshot (Lightweight)

Rapid self-assessment scorecard for teams (1-page)
Designed to be used at the start of smaller engagements
Not a gate, but a conversation starter

Building the Performance Journey

Purpose: Translate insights into a clear transformation roadmap.

Approach:

Roadmap Building Workshop: Use the Gap Matrix to define a sequence of change initiatives
Performance Pillars: Assign owners, timelines, and expected outcomes
Change Enablers: Identify communication, training, governance or tooling needs

Artifact: SPARA Roadmap Canvas

Columns: Initiative, Lever, Timeline, Owner, Dependencies, Outcome Measures

Optional Artifact: Value Impact Tracker

Links roadmap milestones to outcome KPIs
Can be used for assurance or reporting purposes

Flexibility for Engagement Size

While the full suite of tools is useful for large engagements, SPARA supports scaled-down versions for rapid insights:

Small Engagement Mode:
- Use only the Metamodel Canvas + Lightweight Maturity Snapshot
- Apply just one or two levers if appropriate
- Focus on conversation and ownership, not bureaucracy
Progressive Engagement Mode:
- Start light and deepen over time
- Build capability in-house by coaching teams through artifacts

Summary: From Abstraction to Action

Defining your As-Is and To-Be metamodels is the moment SPARA becomes real. You now have a view of how your organisation truly performs today, where it needs to be, and a roadmap for getting there.

This is where insight meets action. This is the beginning of performance by design.

Metamodel Canvas

The Metamodel Canvas draws inspiration from Lean A3 thinking — a structured, visual approach used to define problems, explore root causes, and implement solutions. A3s are prized for their clarity, simplicity, and narrative logic. SPARA applies this thinking at the performance architecture level.

Like an A3, the Metamodel Canvas:

Captures current state and desired future state on a single view
Encourages collaborative, visual problem-solving
Forces clarity by limiting the space for clutter and jargon
Aligns cause-effect logic with defined improvement actions

But SPARA extends the model by embedding systemic levers — Governance, Flow, People, Assurance — directly into the canvas. These aren’t just problem categories; they are performance drivers.

The result is an evolved A3-style tool designed not just to solve isolated issues, but to restructure how performance itself is understood and improved.