PEOPLE
Create a visual map of people
An image is the best way to create a shared understanding of those involved and to highlight who we think the most important people are.
Preview how this activity will begin in this two-minute video from the template. Turn on closed captioning to read instructions in your preferred language.
When trying to identify the people that matter the most, you’ll want to create a picture so you can see the entire landscape of people and their influence on one another, because words and lists can only get you so far.
Why create a visual map?
An actual map of people keeps people front-of-mind which is fundamental to being human-centered. You can plan for research more effectively by talking to the most important people. Maps create a shared understanding of everyone involved, and for everyone to see. A visual map will identify gaps in your knowledge that need exploring and documenting.
There are different ways to create a visual map of people. You might:
Plot people on a matrix based on certain criteria
Prioritise people on a bulls-eye chart
Group people into categories
What makes a good visual map? One that:
Arranges stakeholders in a logical way
Describes the relationships between people
Keeps your project focused on key people and their needs
Can be interpreted by anyone who sees it
Is easily updated
A good visual map of people takes time to develop and improve. We recommend you:
Represent every person on your list as a person with a role and a personal goal
Arrange your people into groups
Decide which people are the primary focus and make that obvious
Create and label lines describing the relationships between individual people
Plan to talk to people and revise your map based on what you learn
Most visual maps start in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or a wall. Within a digital whiteboard or design software, the quality of your map should reflect the maturity of your thinking.
This digital visual map shows the stakeholders involved in the development of a product that helps teams get results from remote activities at a moment’s notice without the need for a professional facilitator. On the left you can see previews of instructional videos to help the team as they produce the map.
Are you ready to get started creating a visual map of people?
HOW?
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