One and the same topic – but numerous perspectives and knowledge levels. This situation is often found in teams before they start developing a product or solve a specific problem. The method Magic System Mapping helps teams to merge individual perspectives and position into an overall picture and system. Originally the method was developed by Tom Wujec, a pioneer in the field of business-visualization. It is based on two simple principles: Non-verbal communication and collaborative visualization. As a ScrumMaster and Agile Coached I used Magic System Mapping in numerous context: Creating Product Visions, developing Story Maps and Customer Journeys or designing Kanban systems are only a few of the contexts in which this method can be used.

1. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
borisgloger consulting GmbH
Magic System Mapping or
“How to make toast”
Carsten Rasche
26.04.2019 – Agile Camp Berlin

2. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche2
How it is working!

3. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche3
Scanned with CamScanner

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6. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
1. Visualizing the mentalen modele
"The image of the world around us,
which we carry in our head, is just a
model. Nobody in his head
imagines all the world, government
or country. He has only selected
concepts, and relationships
between them, and uses those to
represent the real system.”
Jay Wright Forrester Pionier in Computer
Engeneering und System Thinking
6 Bildquelle:Tom Wujec. Copyright terms and license: CC BY 3.0

7. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
1. Visualizing the mentalen modele
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Bildquelle: https://medium.com/disruptive-design/tools-for-
systems-thinkers-the-6-fundamental-concepts-of-systems-
thinking-379cdac3dc6a

8. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche8
Bildquelle:
https://www.self.com/st
ory/post-it-therapy-is-
helping-people-heal-
after-an-emotional-
election

9. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
2. Aggregating the different mental models
§ To aggregate the model first without verbal communication is more
effective and produces results in a similar quality
§ Non-Verbal Communication reduces biases in the group
§ Less discussions and more experimenting (adding to and playing with once
one mental model)
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12. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
2. Aggregating the different mental models
§ To aggregate the model first without verbal communication is more
effective and produces results in a similar quality
§ Non-Verbal Communication reduces biases in the group
§ Less discussions and more experimenting (adding to and playing with once
one mental model)
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Magic Portfolio Prioritization
https://blog.borisgloger.com/2016/12/12/magic-portfolio-prioritization-the-magic-
matrix-technique/
Magic Estimation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmppWo4CpeQ

13. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
3. Refining and further differentiation of the systems
Iteratively add more
details to individual
parts of the system.
Work in small groups!
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It is never over!

14. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche17
Thats behind it:
System Thinking

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Bildquelle: https://medium.com/disruptive-design/tools-for-
systems-thinkers-the-6-fundamental-concepts-of-systems-
thinking-379cdac3dc6a

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Bildquelle: https://medium.com/disruptive-design/tools-for-
systems-thinkers-the-6-fundamental-concepts-of-systems-
thinking-379cdac3dc6a

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Bildquelle: https://medium.com/disruptive-design/tools-for-
systems-thinkers-the-6-fundamental-concepts-of-systems-
thinking-379cdac3dc6a

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Bildquelle: https://medium.com/disruptive-design/tools-for-
systems-thinkers-the-6-fundamental-concepts-of-systems-
thinking-379cdac3dc6a

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How do groups make
decisions?

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Decision making in groups answering simple questions
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Bildquelle:
https://www.ted.com/talks/mariano_sigman_and_dan_ariely_ho
w_can_groups_make_good_decisions/transcript

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Decision making in groups answering complex questions
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Bildquelle:
https://www.ted.com/talks/mariano_sigman_and_dan_ariely_ho
w_can_groups_make_good_decisions/transcript

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Entscheidungsfindung in Gruppen bei komplexen Fragestellungen
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Bildquelle:
https://www.ted.com/talks/mariano_sigman_and_dan_ariely_ho
w_can_groups_make_good_decisions/transcript

23. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
3 sucess factors
1. Involves as many perspectives as possible in the initial development and
further refinement of the system
2. Display the system at a public place
3. Maintain and nurture the shared understanding – for example in regular
meeting like a Backlog Refinement or with red Post Its signalizing the
changes to everybody
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24. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
Where can I find out more information about this method?
§ Blogpost: Magic System Mapping oder „How to make toast“ –
https://bit.ly/2O1gUzj
§ Artikel im Projektmagazin: Magic System Mapping oder wie toasten Sie
eigentlich Ihr Brot? Mit Visualisierung & non-verbaler Kommunikation zum
gemeinsamem Verständnis https://bit.ly/2pqJj3S
§ Ted Talk von Tom Wujec - Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you
make toast - https://bit.ly/2w51fSF
§ Website: Templates for differet problem sets – https://www.drawtoast.com/
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25. S E L B S T S I C H E R Z U M E R F O L G@CarstenRasche
borisgloger consulting GmbH
Carsten Rasche
Management Consultant
+49 (0)170-3712730
Carsten.Rasche@borisgloger.com
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