Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water ...

Concept Mapping
A technique for mapping the relationships among different concepts.
Supports: knowledge sharing, idea generation, learning
LEVEL OF EFFORT
SIZE OF UTILITY
SCOPE OF WORK
LOW
SCALABLE
NARROW
Concept mapping was developed by Professor Joseph D. Novak at Cornell University in the
1960’s. It is based on the theory of David Ausubel, who forwarded the idea that new knowledge
was based on prior knowledge. Today, neuroscience findings have affirmed that our minds are
continuously connecting incoming information (through our senses) with information that is
stored in our memories, confirming the importance of concept mapping as a tool.
A concept map is represented as a network, with core ideas connected to related ideas.
These core ideas, or concepts, can be labeled, and the links (which can have arrows one or
both ways, or just be ―associated‖ by a connecting line) can also be labeled.
Concept maps are used to generate ideas and support creativity; for example, during
brainstorming. They are also used for note taking, to understand complex structures and
communicate complex ideas, for the transfer of information and the creation of knowledge, and
to enhance metacognition (learning to learn, and thinking about knowledge).
Mindmapping is similar to concept mapping. However, the mindmap starts with one concept
as core, while the concept map can have any number of core ideas.
Expected Outcomes:
An increased ability to visualize and comprehend the relationships among multiple ideas
and concepts. This allows employees to create a high level view of the set of concepts
and to relate them to their Utility.
Seeing these relations also helps employees understand how their efforts and products
may relate to other worker’s work, depending upon the specific concepts I the map.
See:
Case Example #5 (Natural Resources Canada)
Case Example #16 (Virginia Department of Transportation)
Tools: Brainstorming
Causal Loops
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References:
Buzan, T. (1995). The MindMap Book (2 nd ed). London, UK: BBC Books.
Novak, J.D. (1991). ―Cl arify with concept maps: A tool for students and teachers alike. The Science Teacher,
58(7), 45-49.
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