Discover: Journey Map

A journey map is great way to visualize an entire process of an interaction. By visualizing each step, you will better understand the nuances of an experience.

Example steps for a journey map: Mowing the lawn

1. One week passes since the lawn was mowed last
2. The grass grows longer than the local township ordinance allows
3. I realize the grass is too long.
4. I decide to mow the lawn with my lawnmower.
5. I open the garage
6. I take the lawnmower out of the garage.
7. I check to see that it has enough gasoline - it is low.
8. I fill the fuel tank with gasoline.
9. I start to mow the grass.
10. I stop to get a drink of water halfway through, because I am dehydrated.
11. I empty the grass clippings many times.
12. I finish and put the lawnmower back into the garage.
13. I contemplate the Sisyphean process of lawn-care

Materials

• Pen
• Paper
• Post-its
• Markers
• Poster-board or open wall space

Time

30 - 60 minutes

Instructions

1. In the interview, your participant answered questions about a challenge they face or faced. This will be the focus of the journey map.
2. You will now assume their perspective. From the first-person perspective, write short 1-5 word descriptions of the most core moment(s) of engagement on Post-its. For example: "I realized the grass was too long."
3. Write down the name of any other key moments on separate Post-it notes. Try to identify as many as you can. Consider what the most critical aspects of what the experience might be.
4. Place the Post-it notes in order as you would likely experience them.
5. This journey map is useful to help you communicate your experience to others and identify moments for intervention, change, and adaptation.

Post work to the Studio

1. Upload photograph or scan of your journey map.

Citation

Adapted from: http://www.designkit.org/methods/63