In continuing with the subject of using the mapping technique (where bubbles/boxes/shapes are used) to organize and visualize your ideas, the following are some more ways that mapping helps; especially with documentation.
- Aids in organizing documents – Use mapping to group or categorize various documents or their parts to remain organized.
- Aids in creating technical documents – Use mapping as a road map showing you where one detail or feature leads to another, and therefore helps to make the writing of the document easier and more concise. It is similar to a workflow diagram which can visually display the functionality of an application
- Aids in structuring documents – Use mapping to shape extensive documents, e.g., for a regulatory compliance document, it can help you arrange different sections of the material according to required specifications. You can associate (/connect/branch) to its different elements and stay focused and on path.
- Aids in creating test plans – Use mapping to plan, prepare, organize, and manage test scenarios.
- Aids in creating presentations – Use mapping to focus on the main theme and to organize the session, i.e., type of training session or lecture given to a specific type of audience and through which vehicle and the different kinds of material that need to be created to conduct the training.
- Aids in monitoring customer feedback – Use mapping to pinpoint where problems exist within documents or applications so that you can see what is good or needs rebuilding.
- Aids in recreating documents from pre-existing ones –Use existing mappings to create new documents, e.g., if you have a functional document and you previously created a mapping for it, you can reuse the mapping to help develop a new user or training manual by rearranging the bubbles/shapes to see what new chapters are needed and to eliminate what is not needed.
- Aids in documenting a taxonomy or hierarchy of events or occurrences – Use mapping to assist in visualizing what activities are happening and where. You can keep branching off more events as more ideas or facts need to be added.
- Aids in showing related groups – By mapping, you can display the relationship(s) from one grouping to another. When used in smaller groups, you can easily see which items are more important and/or related and which items present a detailed breakdown of facts
Use the methodology of mapping as if it’s a game. Through mapping, you see all the players in a group, as well as how you progress from one area (/feature/process) to another. Unlike a process flow, mapping will not show what if scenarios, but it will show how one process leads to another. In summarizing, mapping is not as detailed as a process flow, but you can make it more detailed if you wish to. It is up to you. What I like about mapping is that you can move the bubbles/boxes/shapes as needed so that you can see different views of said items. You can sort and resort as needed depending on the situation.
If you have used this mapping technique, or something similar, please comment as to its benefits and how you have used it.
Gail Zack Anderson, President of Applause, Inc., has nearly 20 years experience in training and coaching. She
provides individual presentation coaching, and leads effective presentation workshops and effective trainer workshops.
Theresa Pojuner is a Documentation Specialist with over 20 years of writing experience and is skilled in many areas of documentation, for example, Style Guides, Training Manuals and Test Cases, wth a specialty n Technical Writing and Procedures.