Tool 125: Organization Mapping

AKA

N/A

Classification

Team Building (TB)

Tool description

The organization mapping technique examines the team's relationships with other teams or business units within the organization. A map illustrates communication links and the frequency and importance of interactions. Recorded notes suggest improvement areas.

Typical application

• To illustrate and define a team's relationships within an organization.

• To map ongoing interactions and to search for ways to improve those interactions.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
1	Servicing/support
2	Customer/quality metrics
3	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Circle response

• Sociogram

• Buzz Group

• Observation

• Consensus Decision Making

after

• Relationship Map

• Deployment Chart (Down-Across)

• Run-It-By

• Team Mirror

• Presentation

Notes and key points

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The team facilitator explains the purpose and application of this tool. A circle is drawn in the center of a whiteboard to start the organization mapping process.

• STEP 2 Participants identify linkages and relationships with other teams or business units and establish the frequency and importance of these relationships. See example Reproduction Team Services.

• STEP 3 Systematically, a map is drawn that displays links partnerships, frequency and importance of relationships, and contact identification.

• STEP 4 The participants engage in a discussion that explores improvements in the current network and problems that need to be resolved.

• STEP 5 Notes are added to the organization map, a final check is performed so that the map reflects the current status, and finally, the map is dated.

Example of tool application