Concept Map

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Map and label the directional relationships among distinct concepts surrounding a central theme.

Use it when: Use when a team needs to untangle a complex topic, align on shared terminology, or visualize how different parts of a project influence one another.

Skip it when: Skip when the goal is linear task scheduling or when the topic needs immediate prioritization rather than structural analysis.

Group arrangement: Subgroups of 3 to 5 people working around separate chart papers or digital canvas frames.

Timing: UWT suggested duration. The evidence notes 5 to 15 minute bands, but full concept clustering, linking, and review require 25 minutes for groups up to 24.

Materials and tools

• 1 sheet of chart paper per subgroup (or digital whiteboard canvas)
• 2 pads of 3x3 inch sticky notes per subgroup
• Fine-tip markers for writing notes (1 per person)
• Broad-tip markers for drawing connecting lines (2 per subgroup)
• Low-tack masking tape or wall space for displaying charts

Before participants arrive

1. Write the central focus topic clearly at the top of each chart paper.
2. Set up tables so subgroups of 3 to 5 people can stand or sit around their shared chart.
3. Distribute sticky notes and markers to each table.

Say this to open

Today we will map out how the key parts of our focus topic connect. Each group will write down specific concepts, place them on paper, and draw lines between them. Crucially, every line must have a short linking phrase explaining how one idea relates to another. You can write notes, organize them, or draw the links. Let us start by generating the concepts.

How to run it

1. State focus and write concepts 5 minutes

   Announce the central focus topic. Each person works silently to write key concepts, sub-elements, or factors on sticky notes, one item per note. Encourage concrete nouns or short noun phrases. Aim for 3 to 6 notes per person.

2. Cluster and position nodes 6 minutes

   Subgroups combine their notes onto their chart paper. Place the central topic in the middle or top. Cluster related notes together and remove duplicates. Arrange broader ideas outward and detailed concepts beneath or around them.

3. Draw and label connecting links 8 minutes

   Subgroups draw lines between related sticky notes using broad markers. On each line, write a short linking phrase that forms a readable statement. For example, draw a line from 'Customer Support' to 'Product Feedback' labeled 'collects'. Subgroups stop when all major clusters have at least one labeled link.

4. Review across groups and debrief 6 minutes

   Participants stand and take 3 minutes to walk around and read other groups' maps. Reassemble for a brief whole-room reflection. Hear observations from two or three participants on common patterns or surprising links.

Debrief questions

• Which connection between two concepts surprised you or prompted the most debate?
• Where did your group find dense webs of links, and what does that reveal about our topic?
• What critical concept or link is still missing from our current view?

Finished output: Subgroup concept maps displaying linked, labeled relationship lines across key topic components.

Remote

Set up a shared digital whiteboard with a pre-formatted frame for each subgroup of 3 to 5 people. Place the central prompt in each frame. Use digital sticky notes for Step 1, drag notes to group them in Step 2, and use connector arrows with embedded text labels in Step 3. Conduct Step 4 by having participants summon or pan to each frame.

Hybrid

Keep remote and in-person participants in separate subgroups. In-person tables use physical chart paper and sticky notes. Remote participants work in a shared digital board. For the review step, remote members share their screen while an in-person facilitator projects the digital board, and a camera shows the physical room charts.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose whether to generate notes, place and cluster notes, or write connection phrases.
• Anyone may choose to observe silently during the gallery walk and pass during whole-room sharing without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Participants draw lines without writing relationship labels.

Pause the room briefly. Remind everyone that an unlabelled line does not show meaning; add verbs like 'causes', 'requires', 'funds', or 'informs' directly on each arrow.

Groups get stuck arguing over the single best placement of a concept.

Tell the group to duplicate the sticky note so the concept can sit in both clusters, or connect it across clusters with a long labeled arrow.

Terms used here

• Linking Phrase: A short verb or preposition written on a connecting line between two concepts to form a simple sentence, such as 'leads to' or 'depends on'.