Before I turnoff my computer for the weekend (4 hour Workweek, oh snap!). I wanted to point you to a recent interview Chuck Frey did with Wallace Tait. For those of you don’t know, Wallace has one of the greatest minds in the visual mapping arena. If he’s Kobe I’m Lebron James (okay, the rain of arrogance came early this post). In it, Wallace makes a compelling case for a standard Visual mapping body of knowledge... Basically, if there was a central repository for visual mapping best practices, people might actually learn about & use visual mapping with some skill and savvy as opposed to the 3 generations removed from original sinnin' kissin' cousins-like usage scenarios I often see. Don't fret clients, that's before I remake you in my awesome mapping image (To be read with Stephen Colbert-like snap).
I'm in a lazy mood and that means I have a mental block to the assload of work he's proposing. He's most likely right on the other hand, which is why I come to you on a beautiful Ohio Friday (mid-30s and cloudy) with this. On the other hand, I do have 1 moment of pause: So many people go cross-eyed when they see visual maps that the only way this glorious toolkit may cross the famed chasm is to be used at such a phenomenal level by a few high-profile companies that other companies MUST follow suit or go the way of the dinosaur. I miss the dinosaurs.
Did I mention I'm feeling a little lazy? Time to go play in the gray day... so here's the link. Focker out!
Leave a comment and let everyone know what you think.
Nope I'm not on drugs and I'm not deluding myself (I hope).
The bottom line is, and I've been there; I really do believe we need to formalize the tools, techniques and mindset of Visual mapping.
If we don't, we'll all continue to be seen as esoteric hand drawing mind mapping feet rubbers: OMG, did I just write that.
The end view is a certification process offered to academic, industrial and corporate business graduates who realize the need to be whole brain thinkers; you know, thought leaders of our future.
If this doesn't stir up a hornets nest, I'll get Kyle (Mr irreverent) to take care of business.
Posted by: Wallace Tait | February 13, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Hey, I love Tim Hortons! A drug you can be proud of. Being a bit more focused on a Monday, you've got a point Wallace. Your comment about 'esoteric hand drawing mind mapping feet rubbers' was just in time for Valentines Day! (and so damn hilarious I about fell off my chair). But seriously, that view, somewhat widely held, is a huge impediment to visual mapping being seen for the wickedly efficient business tool it really is.
If you do some blog posts or articles, definitely include more information about the standards bodies you would like to use for benchmarking as that point greatly resonated with me.
Posted by: kyle776677 | February 16, 2009 at 12:44 PM
The ASQ (American Society for Quality) the KMI (Knowledge Management Institute)and the PMI (Project Management Institute)are the main benchmarks.
Posted by: Wallace Tait | February 22, 2009 at 06:33 PM