Benefit Map

The Benefit Map is a visual map of how an initiative contributes to its organization's objectives. It links the initiative's components — such as projects, changes, outcomes, and benefits — so you can see how each one supports the next. Supporting items, such as assumptions, issues, goals, and objectives, can be added for context.

This article covers both the Advanced and Simple Models. The Benefit Map is only available where Enable Map is turned on for the initiative's classification — see Configuring Initiative Classifications (Advanced Model).

Mapping techniques

How a map is laid out depends on the mapping technique set up under Administration > Mapping Techniques. Some techniques are freeform; others arrange items in columns, such as a strategy map for a portfolio, or an investment logic map for a program. Available techniques include the Amplify Technique, Result Chain, Benefit Logic Map, Investment Logic Map, Dependency Network, Transformation Strategy Map, and MSP.

Opening the map

Navigate to the initiative and select Map on its side menu.

A new map is empty until items are added to it.

Only one person can edit a map at a time. While someone else is editing it, the map shows Currently being edited, with their name.

Building a map

A useful map usually combines:

• the initiative's existing initiatives, benefits, RAID items, and goals;
• new map items, such as assumptions and outcomes, to describe what enables or holds back delivery;
• links between items, showing how each one leads to the next.

The types of map item available are set by their classifications, under Administration > Classifications.

Changes aren't kept until you click Save. You'll be warned if you leave the map with unsaved changes.

Adding existing items

To add an existing item:

1. Click Identified Items. The Identified Items tab lists the initiatives, benefits, and RAID items directly beneath the initiative that aren't yet on the map.

   

2. Click Add next to the item. It's added to the center of the map.
3. Click Save.

Adding items from elsewhere in the hierarchy

To add an item from elsewhere:

1. Click Identified Items, then the Search tab.

   

2. Search for the item by name.
3. Click Link next to the item.
4. Click Save.

Creating new map items

To create a map item:

1. Click New. An outline of a new item appears.

   

2. Drag it onto the map. Where the map has columns, drop it in the column it belongs to.

3. In Map Element Properties, select its Classification, and enter a Name. Optionally, add an Owner and Description.

   

4. Click Continue, or Continue & Create Another to add another item straight away.
5. Click Save.

If a classification you need isn't listed, turn on Allow objects of this type to be created using the Map for it. For benefits, see Configuring Benefit Classifications (Advanced Model); for goals, see Configuring Goal Classifications (Advanced Model).

Linking items

To link two items:

1. Click an item on the map.
2. Drag from one of the arrows on its sides to the next item on the path.
3. Click Save.

To remove a link, click it, then click its delete button.

Working with items

Click an item on the map to see its options:

• Highlight Contributions — highlights every item linked to it, showing what contributes to it.
• Edit Properties — change its classification, name, owner, or description, and its contribution weightings.
• Remove from Map — takes it off the map. The item itself isn't deleted; it moves back to Identified Items.
• Open Dashboard (new tab) and Open Map (new tab) — open the item's own dashboard or map, where it has one.

Use the zoom controls to zoom in and out, or to switch between 100% and the whole map. Drag the map to move around it.

Contribution weightings

Where several linked items contribute to one item — such as several initiatives that together deliver a benefit — record how much each one contributes. To set the weightings:

1. Click the item, then Edit Properties.
2. Click Contributions to show the Contribution Weightings. Every item linked to it is listed with a slider.
3. Set each item's percentage, or click Spread to share it evenly between them.
4. Click Continue, then Save.

The weightings must total either 0% or 100%. Until they do, the form won't continue. To see the weightings on the map, click the item and select Highlight Contributions.

Map settings

• Display Settings — choose whether to show owners on each item, show descriptions instead of names, and show contribution lines.
• Resize — where the map has columns, drag the column positions to adjust them, then click Done.

Printing the map

Click Print to download the map as a PDF. The PDF is vector-based, so it can be printed at any size, from A4 up to A1 or A0. A map that spans several pages can be printed across Multiple pages, or condensed onto a Single page.

For the benefits on the map, see Managing Benefits.