Manage Map Sets (Beta)

 

Work in Progress

Please note:  probably 90% of all ActionMap group sessions can be effectively accomplished with one map.  For complex situations that have many Map parts, the Map Sets feature can be useful.

Overview

Please review this draft training video for an introduction to Map Sets

Major Elements of the Map Set Feature

Types of Process Maps

All Maps have the same format.

Maps can have one of three types.

These types exist only based on their relationship with other maps:
   ▪ Maps - have no sub-maps
   ▪ Top Maps  - have at least one sub-map
   ▪ Sub-Maps - belong to a Top Map 

There is only one level of relationship:  Sub-Maps cannot have Sub-Maps

These relationships can be changed at any time.

Functions within the Map Set feature

Within a Map and Plan Area, maps can be associated with each other in a Top Map / Sub-Map relationship.  This relationship defines a "Map Set".

• This association is created or removed in the "Map Set View" control panel, which is accessed through this menu path: Main Page Main Menu > Work Products > Manage Map Sets.
• The relationships are changed by dragging the names of the Maps shown in that control panel to the right, to make them Sub-Maps, or to the right, to remove them as Sub-Maps, as well as up and down to place Maps under other Maps.

When Maps are in a Map Set, and (only) when the Top Map is selected in the Map panel, then the List header has an option of selecting "Single Map List" or "Map Set List".

• When  "Single Map List" is selected, only the rows from the Top Map List are shown in the List.
• When "Map Set List" is selected, all the List rows for ALL the Maps in the Map Set are displayed on the List, with the Top Map at the Top, and the Sub-Maps separated by grey "Central Process" rows. 
• When "Map Set List" is selected, ONLY the Top Map is visible in the Map panel.

Sub-Maps can be selected from the "Select Map" control at any time. 

• If a Sub-Map is selected, the control for "Single Map List / Map Set List" is not shown.
• The Sub-Map Map is shown in the Map Panel
• The Sub-Map List is shown in the List Panel.

The "Sub-Map List / Map Set List" control appears in activities from "Map / Evaluate" forward, if a Top Map is selected.

Why have Map Sets?

The main benefits of a Map Set are:

• Large areas of process can be mapped using multiple Maps, with Sub-Maps showing additional detail or extended scope.
• Evaluations for all Maps can be prioritized in one List view.
• In the Planning Stages of the Main Process, the Plans elements for a Map Set are combined into one Plan under the Top Map.
  • This includes High Priority Evaluations, Proposed Changes, and Action Items.

This allows the session participants to complete the Prioritizing and Planning activities without having to jump back and forth between Maps.

• Navigation between Maps can still occur at any time

Exceptions:

The Map Set feature involves complex relationships between List rows across multiple Maps.  These relationships are designed to work together when the Session Activities progress forward only. 

In some cases, if a Session starts building a Plan under a Top Map for a Map Set, and then goes back to an earlier Activity for a Sub-Map, List Rows added for that Sub-Map may not appear the Plan under the Top Map in the Map Set. 

• For example if the Session goes back to an the Map/Evaluate Activity and adds Evaluations, or to the Proposed Changes Activity and adds proposed changes, to a Sub-Map, those may not appear in the Plan for the Map Set (which always is associated with the Top Map).

Types of Maps and Map Sets

The large majority of ActionMap Toolkit Group Sessions can produce successful results with only one Map.

Map Sets and Top Maps

A Map Set is a collection of process Maps that consists of a Top Map and one or more Sub-Maps that are subordinate to it. 

Model Plan Areas can have an effectively unlimited number of Maps, Top Maps and Map Sets. 

Relationship Among Top Maps and Sub-Maps

Sub-Maps represent either:
    ▪  An expansion of detail of a Sub-Process graphic within the Central Process of the Top Map.  In this case the Sub-Map can also be called a Sub-Process Map.
    ▪  A process that is closely related to the Central Process in the Top Map.  In this case the Sub-Map can also be called a Side-Map.

Example Map Set:   XYZ Company - Main Operations

Top Map:
    ▪  XYZ Company  (Central Process)
        ▪  Customer Relations  (Sub-Process 1)
        ▪  F&A   (Sub-Process 2)
        ▪  Manufacturing and Distribution (Sub-Process 2)

Sub-Process Map (Central process is a sub-process from the Top Map (or other "parent" map):
        ▪  Customer Relations  (Central Process)
            ▪  Marketing (Sub-Process 1.1)
            ▪  Sales (Sub-Process 1.2)
            ▪  Customer Service (Sub-Process 1.3)

Side Map (associated with but not directly subordinate to the Central Process on the Top Map)
        ▪  Process Improvement Program  (Central Process)
            ▪  Orientation (Sub-Process)
            ▪  Training (Sub-Process)
            ▪  Operations (Sub-Process)
            ▪  Review (Sub-Process)

Suggested Next Pages

Add Map Parts, Plan Parts and Comments to the List 

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