Developing An Idea Map

In this post, I am going to teach you how to use a process improvement and problem-solving tool. It is called "idea mapping." Some people may call this brainstorming, but it actually goes a bit further than brainstorming. Idea mapping is about getting your usable, real ideas, goals, and areas for improvement down on paper, and then applying an actual process for how you are going to achieve those goals. You are basically going to go from a jumbled group of goals to the finish line of a completed goal.

For my example idea map, I picked "Move to a New City." I chose this one because it's that time of year when a lot of students just graduated from college, and now they are looking for a new adventure. Or, maybe they found their first big job and they are going to have to move. Maybe you have a family, and you have to move somewhere with your family. Maybe after all of this business with COVID-19, you have decided you really want to move away from where you live to a healthier environment. Maybe you just want to follow your heart and move somewhere you have always wanted to live. 

Before I get started, I ask that you please forgive my elementary artwork. I have mentioned before that I am not an artist, so please don't have any high expectations for super intricate design plans or anything. But, I think you will get the idea as we get going. Here are the two parts of my idea mapping.

1. Put Your Ideas on Paper. I first start off with writing my main goal in the middle of the paper and then draw a circle around it. In this particular instance, the main goal is "Move to a New City." After I do that, I think of five or six smaller goals I need to accomplish to achieve that one big goal.

Sometimes, I will draw little pictures. That helps me think some more about the goal I am writing about and also gives my brain time to think of the next goal. In this particular idea map, I thought of several smaller goals. I realized I was definitely going to need more cash to move. I've moved several times, and moving takes money. Of course, before I could move, I would have to find a place to live. And, I would hopefully have everything set up before I got there, like utilities, trash, and cable services. I would have to decide if I was going to buy a plane ticket or drive my car. If I didn't want to take my car, then I would have to consider buying a different car. That would be a whole separate process in itself. I also would have to pack my belongings. Packing takes a lot of planning itself, especially if you don't want to arrive with a mess with your boxes when you arrive. Finally, I have dogs, so I would have to consider what I am going to do with my dogs. As you can see, each step has its own separate steps and could be its own idea map. 

2. Create the Map. Again, please excuse my elementary level artwork here. My actual idea map looks just like that...a map from "Start" to "End." I like to think it looks like a chute from "Chutes and Ladders." Really, it's a map of how I'm going to go step by step, just like if I was walking down the street, and what I am going to "step" by to reach the end. Obviously, I start right where I am, which is here. I'm going to have to start looking and researching places I want to move to. It's always a good idea to do research first. Maybe it's not someplace you will like once you learn more about it. So, I will definitely do some internet research. If I can't find out as much as I need to about the place on the internet, then I'm going to have to get into my happy car and drive there or take a plane and fly there. Once I get there, I'm going to want to look around the area to see what it is like. I might find a place to live on the first visit, or I might just decide it's not for me. To me, it's a really good idea to get a feel for how a place fits with you and your personality. That goes from a new apartment, to a new town or city, or even to a new college campus. I'm thinking of students who may be going to college in the fall. 

After you have looked around, you might have found a place to live, a school where you want to study, or a new city where you want to move. You are going to have to do some paperwork to make sure any of those things happen. That's what those squares with the squiggly represent. And, of course, after you sign your paperwork and get your documents in order, you are going to have to come up with some money. Like I said, moving is expensive, whether it's across town, across the state, or even to a new college. If it's for college, you also are going to have to have money to pay your tuition. And, don't forget about the odd expenses you might be forgetting like new books, or sneakers for your physical education class, or shelves for you to hang your books, or maybe you just need new clothes. You definitely will need some side "just in case" money when you move to your new location. 

On the map, you can see a little 3D square and that represents packing. You have to pack unless you are a throw everything in the back of the truck with no plan kind of person. I can tell you it might seem funny at first, but that is not a plan. To move with a plan, you need to pack. You'll thank me for it later, and so will your friends. Of course, you will have to rent or borrow a truck from someone when you move -- unless you have one already. Then, when you get there, you will have a bunch of things you have to do...like unpacking, buying food, setting up your room so you can sleep, messaging your friends, changing your address, updating your social media page...all kinds of stuff. That's what the round circle means. It means all of that extra stuff you have to do once you get there. When you finally arrive and finish unpacking, you can relax and decide you are at home sweet home. The End.