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Introduction
An exploration map is a tool used in the design thinking process to represent and explore a problem visually. It can help participants better understand the problem, identify areas for innovation, and generate new ideas.
Exploration Map
Exploration map is a technique also known by as opportunity map and concept map.
Description
What is this technique about
The Exploration map is a tool used to explore a problem by visually representing and organising all relevant factors into categories.
For which purposes is it used
The exploration map is typically created during the 'empathise' phase of the design thinking process, which involves gaining a deep understanding of the user or customer perspective. The map can help teams to synthesize and organise the information gathered during this phase and identify areas where more research or exploration is needed.
The exploration map can take many forms, depending on the needs and goals of the project. It can be a simple sketch or a diagram.
Limitations
How to implement these technique/tools
Make sure the students have any material to take notes. For online, any document-sharing application is good. For example, google docs, Miro board and notepad.
Preparation, before the session:
- Identify the key stakeholders who should be involved in the activity and invite them to participate.
- Define the problem or opportunity to be explored and define the goal of the activity to participants.
- Prepare the materials needed for the activity, such as a whiteboard, sticky notes, markers, and any digital tools that will be used. Make sure the materials are easily accessible and organised before the activity begins.
During the session:
- Collect relevant information about the problem, including user needs, desires, motivations, and behaviours. This information can be gathered through user interviews, observations, surveys, or other research methods.
- Based on the information gathered, identify the key dimensions and elements of the problem space that you want to explore in the exploration map. This could include user needs and behaviours, context and environment, touchpoints and interactions, stakeholders, and constraints.
- Use a large whiteboard or paper, visually represent the problem or opportunity space, highlighting the key dimensions and elements identified. Use sketches, diagrams, and other visual elements to represent the different elements of the map.
Follow up after the session:
- After the activity, review and analyse the exploration map with the team to identify key insights and opportunities for further exploration.
- Iterate and refine: As you create the exploration map, be open to new insights and emerging ideas. Refine the map as you go, adding new dimensions or elements as needed and removing or reorganising elements that are not useful.
Examples and/or testimonials
Examples of how it can be used in secondary school.
The teacher can begin the exploration map activity with secondary school students by introducing a topic like climate change. Students can then brainstorm all relevant problem factors. After listing them, students can classify factors into causes, effects, and solutions. The teacher can help students create a visual exploration map using sticky notes and a whiteboard to show the relationships between factors. Finally, a group discussion can review and analyse the exploration map and encourage students to use its insights to inform their future research or assignments. Links: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/586be94ab8a79b51178b15cd/t/5bfd916988251b6f61e5411c/1543344490698/Autodesk_DesignThinking_ExploreBlogArticle_Ronsen.pdf
Exploration map template, writing materials (such as pens and paper) and a timer to track the activity's time limits. For online: Laptop, Internet, and Miro.
Resources
Links:
- Miro (for template): https://miro.com/
- Template: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/journey-mapping-101/
Videos: Technique
Papers:
- Oxman, R. (2004). Think-maps: teaching design thinking in design education. Design studies, 25(1), 63-91.
- Geissdoerfer, M., Bocken, N. M., & Hultink, E. J. (2016). Design thinking to enhance the sustainable business modelling process–A workshop based on a value mapping process. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 1218-1232.
- The exploration phase: https://blog.convergentis.com/explore-phase-design-thinking
Books:
- Design Thinking for School Leaders: Five Roles and Mindsets That Ignite Positive Change by Alyssa Gallagher and Kami Thordarson.
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