Concept Route

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Map relationships, dependencies, and sequence between key ideas on a single visual surface.

Use it when: Use when an operational process, complex problem, or multi-stage project needs clear visual connections across different moving parts.

Skip it when: Skip when the group has not yet agreed on the core topic scope, or when simple linear task lists are needed instead of a relational network.

Group arrangement: Small teams of 3 to 5 participants working at separate chart tables or breakout boards.

Timing: Source specifies 25 to 120 minutes. 45 minutes provides a workable session for small teams.

Materials and tools

• 1 pad of sticky notes (approx. 3x3 inches) per team
• 4 fine-tip marker pens per team
• 1 sheet of chart paper (minimum 24x36 inches) or dedicated whiteboard space per team
• 1 roll of low-tack masking tape per team
• 1 visual example card displaying the 4-node sample concept route from participant materials

Before participants arrive

1. Define the anchor topic or process in advance and write it visibly on the main room display.
2. Set up a table or wall space for each small group with chart paper and markers.
3. Display the sample concept route diagram showing the 4 connected concepts from the participant materials.

Say this to open

Welcome. Today we will build a Concept Route for our topic. A concept route maps key elements and shows exactly how they relate, depend on each other, or flow over time. You will work in small teams. First, you will write key concepts on sticky notes. Next, you will arrange them by importance and draw connecting lines with explanatory words to show how they fit together.

How to run it

1. Introduce topic and example 5 minutes

   State the chosen anchor topic. Display the sample diagram showing the 4 connected concepts linked by labeled arrows. Divide the room into teams of 3 to 5 participants. Count off by the desired number of teams (for example, 4 teams for 16 to 20 people, 3 teams for 9 to 15 people). If remainders occur, assign extra participants to existing groups up to the maximum of 5, keeping all teams between 3 and 5 people. Answer procedural questions.

2. Generate individual concepts 8 minutes

   Instruct participants to write one key idea, task, or condition per sticky note in silence. Each person aims for 4 to 6 notes. Anyone who prefers not to write can pair with a teammate who scribes their verbal ideas.

3. Cluster and prioritize 10 minutes

   Teams pool their sticky notes on their table. They group duplicate ideas and distinguish central core concepts from secondary or supporting factors. Each team places their primary concepts near the center or starting point of their chart paper.

4. Draw the route and connections 12 minutes

   Teams stick their notes onto the chart paper and draw arrows or lines between related ideas. Every arrow must have a short word describing the link, such as 'triggers', 'requires', or 'delays'. Stop when the route forms a coherent visual map.

5. Gallery walk and debrief 10 minutes

   Teams leave their charts visible on tables or walls. Participants spend 4 minutes circulating to review other routes, leaving written reflection notes directly on posters if desired. Regroup the room and facilitate a whole-group discussion using the debrief questions. Take two to three verbal or scribed responses per question.

Debrief questions

• Which connection or dependency on your map was debated most before you reached agreement?
• Looking at other maps, what central concept did another group emphasize that your team placed on the edge?
• What is one immediate project risk or bottleneck that this route makes visible?

Finished output: A physical or digital visual concept map per team showing prioritized concepts and labeled relational arrows.

Remote

Use breakout rooms of 3 to 5 people with an online whiteboard (such as Miro, Mural, or Padlet). Pre-populate each team frame with blank digital sticky notes and directional connector tools. Keep participants on main audio for instructions, send them to breakouts for brainstorming and mapping, then bring everyone back to the main room to view shared frames simultaneously.

Hybrid

Form fully in-person groups and fully remote groups to avoid splitting attention. In-person groups use paper charts; remote groups use digital whiteboard frames. During active working phases, the facilitator alternates attention between walking tables in the room and rotating through remote breakout rooms. During the final gallery review, broadcast the digital frames on the room display while in-person groups upload a clear photo of their chart directly to the shared digital space.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may opt to speak their ideas aloud for a partner to scribe rather than writing on sticky notes.
• During the debrief, participants may speak aloud, ask a teammate to read their reflection, or post written comment notes on the charts without speaking.
• Use high-contrast markers on light paper to ensure visibility for all team members.

If the session gets stuck

Teams draw lines between every single note, creating an unreadable spider web.

Ask the team to remove all arrows and only draw the five most critical dependencies that cannot be broken.

One team member dominates the note placement while others watch.

Introduce a round-robin placement rule where each person takes turns placing and explaining one concept note at a time.

Terms used here

• Concept Route: A visual diagram mapping the relationships, dependencies, or sequence between key ideas.