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Founded in 2002, the blog here continues to be a space of daily conversation about the science of mind and its implications and applications
Goals and plans are assumptive. They are based on assumptions about what's achievable, available and actionable. This is tricky when change is life's constant.
Roadmapping is realistic. It is based on our questions. It keeps us productive, efficient and aligned however change and continuity occurs.
Where roadmapping is inspirational, goals and plans are often perspirational.
In RoadMapping we pursue multiple pathways. This approach is based on two realities: there are always different right ways to make possible the future we would love to see and the ultimate constant on any pathway is change.
It is the ultimate planning assumption/delusion that a single pathway we call our “plan” could be the only right way or a way that will resist life's constant of change. When we have an honest relationship with the future, we are clear that realistic means moving along at least two pathways.
We want to start a new product or service. We describe two ways it could go forward, in design, production, funding, marketing. Because we're working from questions, we pursue the continuous emergence of new questions as we go. Ultimately, one becomes more promising, both work, we discover a much better third way, or we move forward with useful elements of each.
We're guided the whole way by the North Star of our highest good which is doing good, making money and having fun.
Why don't we just plan? Isn't planning more reliable?
For many of us, planning feels like a necessary obligation. We're not fond of plans, especially when they're created without regard to our actual capacity and questions. Plans engender more doubt than confidence and enthusiasm. Plans based on assumptions rather than questions are unrealistic from beginning to end. They are not reliable. Even when we achieve them, they can be at the expense of causing other efforts to struggle, stall or fail.
On what scales does RoadMapping work?
It works on any scale, from efforts that span weeks to 20 year dreams and beyond. It can be used in place of project, operational and strategic planning. In larger, longer efforts, multiple teams can work in networks to make complex paths possible through multiple simpler paths.
How do we manage everyone's expectations?
By making everything we do, think and communicate transparent. This leads to minimal or no negative surprises. Alignment is easier when everyone is continuously realistic together. We rely on the management of momentum to the best possible good things happen with the least calendar and costs possible.
How do we spark and keep momentum?
We create a regular rhythm of huddles. In huddles, we review progress, identify new questions and commit to doing what we can with what we have to continue progress in our path directions. We refresh paths when it makes sense. This sustains optimal momentum. We always feel like we're always doing the right things, for the right reasons, at the right time. A very satisfying way to make good things happen.
Roadmapping is a scalable process for organizing the way we shape the future we want to see. It is realistic, responsive and resourceful.
As realistic, it works from questions rather than assumptions. As responsive, it adapts our maps to changes in our knowns and unknowns. As resourceful, it is based on and grows our capacities.
The 4 Principles of RoadMapping
Begin anywhere
It can be a dream or wish, problem or opportunity. From here, we have everything we need to make something good happen.
Create multiple paths
A pathway is a direction that matters to us. They are pathways that make sense. We can create two or more.
Move forward, one question at a time
We work along our paths through questions representing what is available and curious to us. Questions lead to individual and shared learning and doing.
Refresh your paths
Moving along paths reveals new possibilities. As we move along our paths, we edit, delete and add them in ways that make sense.
…
RoadMapping in a nutshell:
Start with anything
Sketch out two or more pathways
Translate relevant unknowns and actions into questions
Work and adapt your pathways, one question at a time
It's time to rethink planning.
Many of us have an ambivalent relationship to planning. It is often as unsatisfying as it seems necessary. The whole idea of "staying on plan" provokes eye rolls of doubt, knowing that change is life's constant.
Roadmapping is an alternative approach to creating and responding to our ever-shifting sense of the future. It's the practice of open-mindedness. It's being open to new questions, new opportunities and new ideas. It's based on the premise that there are multiple possible paths to any direction that calls us. It's making movement in the direction we seek in a dynamic rather than static way.
It's a realistic, responsive and resourceful approach to the future. It's the continuous process of roadmapping.
*Many thanks to old friend and entrepreneurial genius Doug Craver for the unique and powerful frame of “Roadmapping.”
