Concept Mapping
Concept mapping visually represents the relationships between different elements of a system or idea, fostering a deeper understanding of complex topics. It helps individuals and groups clarify their thinking, identify knowledge gaps, and align on a shared understanding.
Use this method when you need to explore a complex topic, identify key relationships, or align a group's understanding of a system. It's particularly useful when onboarding new team members or tackling ambiguous problems.
Solves: Lack of shared understanding of a complex system; difficulty identifying key relationships and dependencies.
- 1
Step 1: (5 min) Formulate a focus question to provide context and direction for the concept map. Examples: 'How does X work?' or 'What's the context in which Y exists?'
- 2
Step 2: (10 min) Individually, identify 15-25 key entities (people, places, processes, etc.) relevant to the focus question. Write each entity on a separate sticky note.
- 3
Step 3: (5 min) Sort the sticky notes from the most general to the most specific. This will help establish a hierarchy in the map.
- 4
Step 4: (20 min) Arrange the sticky notes on a whiteboard or virtual canvas. Connect related entities with lines, using linking verbs or phrases (e.g., 'contributes to,' 'is made of,' 'creates') to describe the relationship.
- 5
Step 5: (20 min) Review the map. Ensure that each connection forms a meaningful sentence. Identify any gaps in knowledge and fill them in.
- Encourage participants to use concise language on the sticky notes.
- Remind participants to focus on the relationships between entities, not just the entities themselves.
- Use different colors of sticky notes to represent different categories of entities.
- Conduct a gallery walk after the map is created to allow participants to provide feedback and suggestions.