Tools
accelerating map creation
Your Head
As cliché as it sounds, mapping starts in your mind with the realization that every story you think of contains some components.
These components can be analyzed for maturity or dependencies. Many people claim they map in their heads.
Pros:
-
you can use it everywhere
-
no weird looks from anyone
Cons:
-
it migt be hard to capture more complex situations
-
very prone to bias
Solo Mapping: Pen & Paper
Any notepad will do. It is actually quite a tradition to start with a napkin.
Pros:
-
you can capture more complex environment
-
very satisfying
-
paper is patient and does not frown - good for starting
Cons:
-
editing is a nigthmare - you often need to start from scratch (realy)
-
prone to bias - you know what you know, and if your knowledge was perfect, you would not have to map at all
Post-It Notes
This can be done in groups or solo. You write component names on a post-it note, and stick it to the background (whiteboard, magic board).
Pros:
-
easy to reposition components
-
different colours can be used to group components or add annotations
Cons:
-
dependencies are difficult to manage while moving components
-
some people have terrible writing - very difficult to decipher later
-
group work requires facilitation
Generic Tools: Miro & Mural
Universal apps that replace pen, paper & post-it notes.
Pros:
-
templates!
-
life-saving in remote environments
-
work well for solo and group mapping sessions
-
relatively affordable
-
you can include mapping in a part of a bigger process
Cons:
-
faciliation is harder than during in-person mapping sessions
-
people that you most need usually are not fluent with Miro & Mural handling
Dedicated Tool: MapKeep
The most advanced, dedicated tool for creating maps.
Pros:
-
mapping-aware editor
-
growing number of features
-
easy sharing & collaboration
Cons:
-
faciliation is harder than during in-person mapping sessions
-
people that you most need usually are not fluent with tools such as this one