History Mapping and Future Shaping

When to use History Mapping and Future Shaping

Use this method when a team needs to reflect on its history, understand its current position, and collaboratively define its future goals, especially after a significant change or before embarking on a new strategic initiative.

What it solves

Lack of shared understanding of team history, misaligned vision for the future, disconnect between past actions and future goals.

How to run History Mapping and Future Shaping, step by step

1. Prepare a timeline (physical or digital) with key dates and milestones. (30 minutes)
2. Have a leader or long-standing member walk the group through the timeline, encouraging discussion and personal stories. (30 minutes)
3. Add the BHAG to the end of the timeline and facilitate a discussion about the gap between the present and the future, identifying potential steps. (30 minutes)

Materials needed

• Large roll of paper or digital whiteboard (Miro/Mural)
• Markers or digital sticky notes
• Timer

Facilitator tips

• Pre-populate the timeline with key dates and milestones to save time during the session.
• Encourage personal stories to create a deeper connection among team members.
• Focus the discussion on both successes and challenges to create a balanced perspective.

Common pitfalls

• One or two voices dominating the conversation. Actively solicit input from quieter members.
• Getting bogged down in minor details. Keep the focus on key milestones and themes.
• Failing to connect the past to the future. Ensure the discussion explores how past experiences inform future goals.

Variations

• Focus the history mapping on a specific project or initiative.
• Use different colored sticky notes to categorize events (e.g., successes, failures, lessons learned).
• Incorporate images or other visual elements to make the timeline more engaging.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural. Pre-populate the timeline with key dates and milestones to save time. Use color-coded digital sticky notes for different categories (e.g., highlights, challenges).

What it produces

A visual timeline of the team's history with key milestones, achievements, and challenges, along with a defined 'Big Hairy Audacious Goal' (BHAG) and potential steps to achieve it.

Origin

Adapted from Mischief Makers — source

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