Tool details
Gigamapping
Contains different levels of information and can be used to communicate complexity.
Tool category:
Tool thumbnail
When to use
When you want to communicate complexity and make findings and problem areas accessible.
Why you should
To understand and communicate a complex problem or system to then again understand how it can be changed.
What you get
A map that shows the whole picture including e.g. actors, relations, trends and other important factors that may affect the future solution.
Steps to take
Make a map: Start the mapping on a big piece of paper. Don't plan on how it's going to be. Just put down everything you can think of.
Identify and gather additional information: Take a look at your map. Which information is missing? In which areas are you uncertain? How can you gather more information on these areas?
Find and create relations: Look on how things are connected. Use line, arrows and colors to separate different kinds of connections. Can we create connections that makes the system work better?
Analyse: A simple method is ZIP-analysis (see "further reading") to find potential areas for intervention and innovation.
Iterate: Giga-mapping is in itself a design process. Make the map better through several iterations.
Further reading
The aim isn't to simplify too early, but to get as much information as possible. You don't know what you are looking for.
ZIP-analysis
Zoom — Innovation/Intervation/Idea — Potential/Problem/Pain Point