Created by Gojko Adzic
What is Impact Mapping?
Impact Mapping is a strategic planning technique that assists teams in aligning their activities with overarching business objectives. It is particularly valuable in software development and project management, offering a clear pathway from goals to actionable tasks.
Why Use Impact Mapping?
Impact mapping aids in:
- Focusing on Outcomes: Ensures all efforts directly contribute to specific business goals, preventing scope drift and wasted effort.
- Facilitating Collaboration: Brings together various stakeholders, from developers to business leaders, to share insights and align on project direction.
- Driving Decision Making: Helps in prioritising by mapping the most impactful activities, allowing teams to allocate resources effectively.
How Does It Work?
Impact mapping involves four key stages:
- Define the Goal: Start by clearly identifying what you aim to achieve. This goal should be specific, measurable, and tied to business outcomes.
- Identify Actors: Determine who can influence the achievement of the goal or who will be impacted by it. These actors could be internal team members, users, or external partners.
- Map Impacts: For each actor, brainstorm the changes or impacts needed from them to reach the goal. This could involve changes in behaviour, operations, or perceptions.
- Define Deliverables: Finally, outline the specific actions, tasks, or features that will enable these impacts. These deliverables are what the team will execute.
Benefits of Impact Mapping
- Clearer Objectives: Ensures everyone understands how their work contributes to the overarching goal.
- Efficient Use of Resources: Reduces the risk of investing in features or tasks that do not contribute to the goal.
- Enhanced Communication: Provides a visual and easy-to-understand map of the strategy that can be referred to throughout the project lifecycle.
Impact mapping is a powerful tool for achieving project success and ensuring that every effort made by the team advances towards the desired business outcomes.