The Impact Map is a simple yet powerful tool designed to align your actions with broader goals and systemic impacts.
In just 6 steps, it provides the clarity and structure you need to move from ideas to meaningful results. Whether you’re tackling a personal project or working as part of a team, the Impact Map empowers you to create plans that are intentional, strategic, and transformative.
Problems the Impact Map Can Solve:
✅ The Impact Map helps individuals and teams focus on what truly matters by identifying trends, opportunities, and challenges.
✅ It simplifies complex planning processes into manageable steps, ensuring clarity and alignment from start to finish.
✅ It bridges the gap between short-term actions and long-term goals by connecting immediate outcomes to broader impacts.
✅ The Impact Map fosters collaboration, encouraging teams to work toward shared visions while considering ripple effects and larger objectives.
✅ It helps individuals and organizations stay aligned with their higher purpose, promoting meaningful change that balances daily tasks with systemic thinking.
Participants:
The Impact Map can be used individually or in teams. For team settings, collaborative brainstorming and discussions are highly recommended to create a shared understanding of goals and strategies.
Preparation:
Prepare a physical or digital version of the Impact Map template. For in-person sessions, ensure you have pens, sticky notes, and enough printed templates for all participants. For digital sessions, a collaborative online whiteboard works best.
The 6 Steps of the Impact Map:
1️⃣ Why do we need to act?
Start by identifying trends, opportunities, problems, or challenges driving the need for action. Focus on the current context and why it’s essential to act now.
2️⃣ What will we do?
Define the specific actions or interventions you’ll take to address these issues or opportunities. Clarity is key here.
3️⃣ How will we do it?
Outline the processes, methods, or resources you’ll use to implement your actions effectively. Be realistic and practical.
4️⃣ Outcome:
Specify the immediate, tangible results you aim to achieve. This keeps your efforts focused and measurable.
5️⃣ Ripple Effect:
Think beyond the immediate results. What are the long-term, broader impacts of your actions? Consider how they contribute to systemic change.
6️⃣ Broad Goal / Big Impact:
Connect your efforts to a higher purpose or overarching vision, ensuring that your work aligns with meaningful, impactful goals.
Practical Tips:
- Prioritize Clarity: Keep descriptions simple and focused to avoid overcomplicating the process.
- Collaborate: In team settings, discuss each step to create alignment and shared ownership of the plan.
- Think Big: Spend time reflecting on ripple effects and the broader impact to ensure your actions are purposeful and far-reaching.
Material:
Impact Map Template (printed or digital)
Pens and sticky notes (for in-person sessions)
Time:
45-60 minutes
Download the Full Impact Map Template (PDF) here
We also use this tool in the following trainings:
Start your strategically sustainable organizational development with Impact Design.
