Overview of the Connection Mapping Process

Connection Mapping is a systematic process that optimizes resources, facilitates cohesive teamwork, and identifies obstacles.  It is especially effective for optimizing team projects, addressing conflicts, and accelerating decision making.

It provides a visual rendering of thoughts, connections, and solution scenarios to mirror back the impacts of decisions. This visual rendering illuminates the remaining barriers or resistance points that need to be deconstructed. In that deconstruction process, the less obvious impacts and interconnections are illuminated and addressed.

Connection Mapping helps spotlight “assumptions” that might derail success. These assumptions are addressed in a way that fills the gaps and helps fortify final decisions against potential future gaps.

The resulting deeper and richer visual understanding of solution options makes it easier to see where inputs and outputs are needed and why, with regard to tasks and to human dynamics.

Connection Mapping alters context and calls forth new perspectives, while identifying the connections of each person or arena intersecting with the project and its outcomes. Roadblocks are identified and tactfully deconstructed.

The Connection Mapping Approach:

A.    The process begins with an intake with the team lead/project manager/primary client to determine the scope of the project, the existing challenges, and the stakeholder space.

B.    I then facilitate a team meeting environment to assess the current needs, goals, and concerns of the project/situation.

C.    Eliciting input from all pertinent stakeholders – perhaps including those not currently considered pertinent – I’ll help thoroughly identify all project elements, relevant stakeholders and resources, noting the relationship of each to the desired outcome.  

D.    Next, I’ll lead the team in mapping the baseline of pertinent interconnections and visible gaps between them (e.g. who is working together and who needs to be working together?, which resources are missing?)

E.    This intake data is rendered visually, and reviewed by the team to identify any important aspects still missing and/or to add representation of any additional connections or gaps.  I create the visualization in real time on a white board, then transfer it into Power Point or another graphical package for your use.

F.    Once the full project connections/intersections are visually mapped and all first level contributing and brainstorming is done, I can propose solution scenarios to ignite the team’s energy toward finding a viable solution. This process of scenario-proposing illuminates: a) additional connections/gaps that were missed in the Intake phase, b) mindset barriers still in place among the stakeholders, and c) how the various solution pieces can be configured to fall in place.

G.    As the viable solution scenarios begin to materialize, I steward the process of discerning the inputs/outputs needed. The team continues to massage the pieces into place. Collective decisions are made re: what stays and what goes, what the risk/rewards of each solution option are, etc. New perspectives emerge.

H.    The result?… The understanding needed to make informed choices about where to put resources, as well as plans for how to fortify all connections to maximize stakeholder buy-in and keep forward-moving momentum strong.

Why a Team Process?

Though individual assessments/interviews might be used at the start of a consultation, the core of my process is team dynamics, as only via this model is everyone given an opportunity to truly contribute and have a voice. Often it is the unexpected or seemingly disparate perspectives that offer the most innovative and valuable insights.  

My responsibility to your team is to sit sentinel over the process and do the insight/information capturing. This leaves your team free to focus on talking to one another - saying what they haven’t previously said and allowing them to see connections and paths they would not see otherwise. Learn more about team Connection Mapping here.

Working with Individuals

The process is similar when I work with you one-on-one on a personal issue or project.  We begin with an intake and an overview of the issue or project.  If it is a new project, I will create a Personal Connection Map with you, detailing the interconnections among the different aspects of your life and determining how to best optimize your resources for the desired outcome.  I use all of my listening skills and research capacities to find solutions, and I create an open, non-judgmental space for you to discover new ways of seeing yourself and your project in the world.  I will also create Community Connection Maps with you to elucidate potential collaborations that will forward your project. Learn more about one on one Connection Mapping here.