impactmapping

Impact mapping is a strategic planning technique used to visualize and communicate how a project or initiative will achieve its desired business outcomes. It builds upon mind mapping and story mapping principles to create a visual representation of the causal chain from business goals to specific deliverables.

The core of impact mapping involves a hierarchical structure. It starts with a central "goal" representing the ultimate business objective. Branching out from the goal are "actors" or stakeholders who need to be influenced to achieve that goal. Further branching out are the "impacts" or the changes in behavior of these actors that will lead to the goal. Finally, at the outermost level are the "deliverables," which are the tangible outputs or features that will facilitate these impacts.

This visual approach helps teams focus on the "why" behind their work, ensuring that development efforts are directly tied to business value. It facilitates alignment and shared understanding across different teams and stakeholders by providing a clear, concise map of the intended outcomes and the strategies to achieve them. Impact mapping encourages critical thinking about what needs to change and how to measure success, rather than just listing features. It is often used in agile development environments to guide product roadmaps and prioritize work.