Bringing Mapping To Your Organization

Maybe you've heard about the value of Information Mapping®, but you're not sure how to get started? Or perhaps, you're already a Mapper and you see a real value in bringing Information Mapping® into your organization but you need some support in getting others on board?

This page offers some suggestions on how you can do just that. It describes the 5 most typical steps needed to get buy-in at your organization:

1. Getting Management Buy-In
2. Building Support
3. Spreading the Word
4. Getting Information Mapping Canada to help
5. Attending a Public Seminar

1. Getting Management Buy-In

The first step in bringing Information Mapping® into your organization is to get management buy-in. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Tie Mapping to an Important Challenge or Project
Identify how Information Mapping Canada can help your organization achieve an important goal or objective such as

• applying a standardized approach that ensures consistency in how information is communicated and understood
• capturing employee knowledge
• improving operating efficiency
• reducing errors
• managing content , or
• communicating with your customers.

To get some ideas, try

• browsing the Industry Application section of our Website, reviewing some of our success stories, or
• checking out our Mapping Research Results.

Build a Business Case
Take the time to write down how you think Information Mapping can help your organization and why.

• Try to include facts and figures that will justify the expense of investing in Information Mapping training.
• Take a look at our Show Me Information Mapping demo to see just one example of how you could present potential savings.
• Don't forget to include an estimate of the resources and budget you think will be needed to support your ideas.

Develop a Before & After Example
Use your Mapping skills to develop a Before & After example that shows how Information Mapping can improve the effectiveness of an important policy, procedure, or business communication.

• Select a document that is currently used by many people and is difficult to access and use.
• See our Before & After examples for ideas.

Find a Sponsor
Identify some potential management sponsors who have responsibility for the challenge or objective you plan to address:

• Ask around to make sure you understand their issues and concerns and decision-making style before you approach them.
• When you are ready, set up a meeting to present your ideas, answer questions, and ask for the support you need.

Get Some Help
Talk to other Mappers in your organization. Ask them to help come up with ideas, review your materials, talk to potential sponsors, and spread the word about what you are trying to do.

2. Building Support

Once you have approval to begin an Information Mapping program, the next step is to build more widespread support within the organization. Building a group of supporters for your program will help streamline acceptance of the method within your organization. You may want to try some of the following ideas:

Create a Task Force
Create a task force of people who can help implement your Information Mapping program. You may want to include experienced Mappers, managers, and instructors on your team.

Sponsor a Pilot Seminar
If Mapping is completely new to your organization, sponsor a pilot seminar or other learning program. Invite a few key people such as thought leaders, subject matter experts or representatives from different functional areas to participate. These early participants can help spread the word and support your program.

Start a Mapping User Group (MUG)
A Mapping User Group is an affiliation of people trained in the Information Mapping method who meet on a regular basis to improve their communication skills. MUGs work well when you have a group of people you work with or you know in your general region. Information Mapping Canada can help with meeting topics and providing speakers. For more information, click on MUGs.

Identify Internal Mapping Mentors
Identify some experienced Mappers in your organization who have good editing and coaching skills. Work with Information Mapping Canada to train these individuals as Mapping Mentors. Your Mapping Mentors can help and support new Mappers as they get started using the method on the job. For more information on mentor training, click on Information Mapping Editing Workshop.

3. Spreading the Word

Once you are ready to launch your Information Mapping program more broadly, there are many communication vehicles you can use to spread the word. Here are some ideas for getting the message to your audience.

Host a Lunch n Learn
Information Mapping Canada can provide a speaker to give a free informational session to educate key people and managers about the method.

Set up an Informational Webinar
Information Mapping can conduct a free informational session over the web. Participants dial into our toll free conference number to hear the speaker, ask questions, and participate in the discussion.

Post information on your Intranet
Use your Intranet to post seminar schedules and course descriptions, explain the Information Mapping initiative, and share examples of Mapped documents.

Circulate flyers
Circulating and posting flyers about Information Mapping and your upcoming programs can generate a lot of interest. Distribute them via e-mail, by hand, on tables in strategic locations, on walls and bulletin boards, or in mailboxes.

Extend a Personal Invitation
Identify key people who can support the Information Mapping program and extend a personal invitation to each of them to attend the training. Explain that you value their participation and hope they will help spread the word to others.

4. Getting Information Mapping Canada to help

Information Mapping Canada can help you plan and implement every aspect of your Information Mapping program. We can provide you content, materials, speakers and ideas.

5. Attending a Public Seminar

Be the first in your organization to learn Information Mapping®.by attending a public seminar.

For more information, contact us at

• Phone: (416) 769-7016
• Toll free: 1-888-INFOMAP (463-6627)
• Fax: (416) 769-7790
• E-mail: info@infomap.ca
• Mail: Information Mapping Canada
  357 Jane Street
  Toronto, Ontario M6S 3Z3