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Please note this system requirement
The application requires the use of the Chrome browser on desktops and laptops running Windows 7+ or Mac OS, and is optimized for these screen resolutions: 1366x768, 1600x900, and 1920x1080. The browser window needs to be opened to full size (or nearly full size).
Also see "How to use this site for free training" at this link.
For Startup Training (Original) go to this page.
Some Intro comments:
ActionMap is very much a performance-based skill. Our experience is that learning it requires doing it. The original startup training (page link above) began with concepts. This new training page focuses more on "follow along" instructions to guide you in the use of the tool.
Contents of This Page
Startup Training
- Startup Training Procedure
- 1) Orientation
- 1.1) Quick Intro Videos
- 2) Learn about How to Use Map Parts
- (see later, here in Startup Training (Original)
- 3) Play with the Map
- 4) Quick Start Instructions
- 5) Watch the Training Videos Below
- 6) Choose a Process of Interest
- 7) Apply the Software to Individual Work Processes
- 8) Start Using It with Familiar Small Groups
- 9) Start Using It with Larger, Less Familiar Groups
- ActionMap Toolkit Startup Training Videos
- Important Quick Start Notes
- Videos! OK, Here We go with the Training Videos!
- The Mapping Stages
- The Planning Stages
Startup Training Procedure
This training procedure is designed to help you:
- Use the software on a familiar activity within about an hour.
- Use the software with a familiar group with a few hours of practice.
1) Orientation
If you need a general review of what ActionMap is about, take a look at the following page for basic orientation (note - most of this is covered in the actionmap.com website, so you may not need to review again before getting started.)
Application Orientation Guide.
If you need help with logging in to start with the practice exercises, see Initial Login Guide
1.1) Quick Intro Videos
The following video provides a high-level visual description of the overall ActionMap method.
The following video provides a brief description of the software in operation.
The following video provides a more detailed demonstration of the software in operation.
Note: You will see these steps in the "learn by doing" videos, so you can skip this video if you like.
3) Play with the Map
The next step is to learn the techniques in the software for creating Maps. To do that, just play with a map. Instructions for doing that are on this page:
4) Quick Start Instructions
Review the page in the link below for quick start instructions:
Quick Start Guide
(these repeat the start-up steps from "Play with the Map")
5) Watch the Training Videos Below
Do a step-by-step walk-through of the "Mapping Stages" of the ActionMap Main Cycle, by copying the actions shown in the "Mapping Stage" videos below.
The walk-through is one of the two most important parts of the self-training. It's about learning the mechanics of the software. After you complete that, you can proceed with the next parts of the training procedure, listed below.
And then
6) Choose a Process of Interest
to you to practice on.
It can be:
- A work activity
- A home or community activity
- A business idea
- A hobby activity
- A familiar activity
Or choose a simple process practice on, such as:
- Buying a couch
- Planning a party
- Enrolling for a class
- Running a pizza parlor
(For additional ideas see the ActionMap Process Map Examples page.)
Then you have a choice.
A) You can go back and continue the video training on the "Planning Stages" of the Main Cycle.
B) You can do that later at some point during the following:
6a) Check your first map for "Map Part Labeling"
The second of the two most important parts of the training is learning how to use and label the map parts correctly. That is covered in videos 1 and 2 at this link.
After you have completed the map of your choice in step 6 above, please look at those videos, and review your map to see if you have followed the map labeling guidelines accurately.
Reviewing your use of and labeling of map parts, and providing feedback about that, is the starting point for any "live" training.
7) Apply the Software to Individual Work Processes that you would like to improve.
After you are comfortable with that:
8) Start Using It with Familiar Small Groups.
After you are comfortable with that:
9) Start Using It With Larger, Less Familiar Groups.
And then:
Start accelerating process change wherever you encounter it.
ActionMap Toolkit Startup Training Videos
Goal and Method of these Videos
The goal of these videos is to teach you the basic mechanics of capturing and organizing information in the application.
- Learning the basic mechanics will allow you apply the software to a topic of interest to you.
- That is what will help you learn the rest of the Toolkit.
Video Speed Controls
These videos have a little gear setting at the bottom that offers a choice of playback speed. If you don't mind the narration sounding high pitched, you run through the videos in half the time.
Key Note
After each video, please keep your training Session and Map and Plan Area unchanged, so that you can continue working on them in the following video.
Important Quick Start Notes
To Close Most Menus
or to cancel List Row operations:
Drag and Drop
Drag and Drop uses particular "Drop Targets". These are areas on the Map that:
▪ are highlighted in yellow when the cursor passes over them
▪ are usually directly above, below or inside other map parts
If there is no yellow highlighting, the drop does not occur.
This ensures that Map Parts are only added in their correct locations.
This may happen due to network connection issues, which very rarely happen. if the application seems "stuck":
Known Anomalies Page (things that need a little more help)
Videos! OK, Here We Go with the Training Videos!
Part 1: Create New Training Session
The Mapping Stages
As stated elsewhere, most of the value of the Toolkit in most situations can be achieved by using only the first three stages of the Main Cycle (the Mapping Stages).
The Mapping Stages can help produce strong shared understanding of process transactions along with stakeholder interests and priorities.
That knowledge and motivation can be carried into other methods for process change, in addition to the ActionMap Main Cycle Planning Stages.
Part 2: Area Name and Central Process
Part 3: Change Drivers
Part 4: Map
Part 5: Evaluate
Part 6: Prioritize
The Planning Stages
The Planning Stages take the knowledge and motivation from the Mapping Stages and transform them through further prioritizing and focused brainstorming into agreed upon action items with assignments and due dates.
Part 7: Priority Cutoff
Part 8: Proposed Changes
Part 9: Action Items
Suggested Next Pages
How To Use Stages and Activities
Process Maps - Purpose, Format and Construction
Add Map Parts, Plan Parts and Comments to the List
Map Drag and Drop
Functional Overview and Key Techniques
How to Think about ActionMap Process Maps
ActionMap Toolkit Process Map Examples
Help Table of Contents
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