MAPPING TECHNIQUE

Mapping is a pictorial approach to presenting a broad range of ideas about a topic. It is quite useful in the initial data-gathering stages because it allows for brainstorming and at the same time the group maps the ideas as they are generated. When the process is complete, the team has a picture of all the ideas related to a particular issue clustered by key topical areas. In addition, relationships among items within one cluster and between different clusters are identified.

TO DRAW A MAP:
Place the key issue in the center of a large sheet of paper.

•	As ideas are brainstormed, place major idea categories on different areas of the sheet, keeping the central issue in the middle of the page.
•	New ideas can be entered alone if they represent a different category, or they can be clustered around another idea that they support.
•	Color can be used to distinguish different idea categories - all ideas related to a topic are entered in one color, those related to another, are in a different color.
•	Lines that connect different clusters can show key relationships. Directional arrows can be used to show relationships.

At the end of the process, the team has a quick visual representation of clustered ideas. Improvise!