Mike Burns presented on road mapping and thinking styles at a conference in 2018. He discussed general systems thinking, thinking in time, hypothesis-driven and intelligent opportunism thinking styles. He also covered the components of road maps including goals, metrics, routes/approaches, waypoints, risk analysis, starting points, destinations, and milestones. Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive levels and action verbs were also presented to help measure objectives. The presentation provided an overview of road mapping concepts and tools to plan for and achieve goals.

1. Road mapping with Munro Maps Mike Burns Last Conference 2018
Thinking Styles
• General Systems Thinking –
understanding the relationships and
implications
• Thinking in Time – extrapolation to the
future
• Hypothesis Driven – creative ideation;
design thinking approaches
• Intelligent Opportunism – responding to
opportunities
• Intent Thinking – goal based
SMART GOALS (Extended version!)
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Responsible
T – Time-bound
A – Agreed
R – Reviewed
S – Sustainable
E – Enjoyable
Munro Bagging
Reaching your goals!
Road map attributes
Guides “Something that serves to direct or indicate.”
• Metrics and reporting – like user stories, a project is either done or not done.
Routes / Approaches “A way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination.”
• Principles help us make the right decisions or approach to a situation, routes are the way we order things.
Waypoints “An intermediate point on a route, a stopping point or point at which course is changed”
• Waypoints are reporting frequency and big room planning sessions allowing for us to pivot as required. Can also be ad hoc.
Risk Analysis “The process of identifying and analysing potential issues that could negatively impact the journey.”
• Market analysis, product and project risk analysis including resourcing, budget, skills, knowledge, etc.
Destination Point “The place to which someone or something is going”
• The Goal of the roadmap – you may pass through other places of interest along the way, but there is only 1 destination, 1 goal.
Starting Point “A place that marks the beginning of a journey.”
• The current state: running projects, budget, current products in the market, competitors.
Key Milestones “A signal indicating the distance in from or to a given point.”
• May signal anchors such as a project end/start, external or budget reviews, etc. In many instances, milestones do not impact
project duration. Instead, they focus on major progress points that must be reached to achieve success.
By Mike Burns

2. Road mapping with Munro Maps Mike Burns Last Conference 2018
Bloom’s taxonomy action verbs
Remembering Understanding Applying Analysing Evaluating Creating
Choose
Define
Find
How
Label
List
Match
Name
Omit
Recall
Relate
Select
Show
Spell
Tell
What
When
Where
Which
Who
Why
Classify
Compare
Contrast
Demonstrate
Explain
Extend
Illustrate
Infer
Interpret
Outline
Relate
Rephrase
Show
Summarize
Translate
Apply
Build
Choose
Construct
Develop
Experiment with
Identify
Interview
Make use of
Model
Organize
Plan
Select
Solve
Utilize
Analyse
Assume
Categorize
Classify
Compare
Conclusion
Contrast
Discover
Dissect
Distinguish
Divide
Examine
Function
Inference
Inspect
List
Motive
Relationships
Simplify
Survey
Take part in
Test for
Theme
Agree
Appraise
Assess
Award
Choose
Compare
Conclude
Criteria
Criticize
Decide
Deduct
Defend
Determine
Disprove
Estimate
Evaluate
Explain
Importance
Influence
Interpret
Judge
Justify
Mark
Measure
Opinion
Perceive
Prioritize
Prove
Rate
Recommend
Rule on
Select
Support
Value
Adapt
Build
Change
Choose
Combine
Compile
Compose
Construct
Create
Delete
Design
Develop
Discuss
Elaborate
Estimate
Formulate
Happen
Imagine
Improve
Invent
Makeup
Maximize
Minimize
Modify
Original
Originate
Plan
Predict
Propose
Solution
Solve
Suppose
Test
Theory
Watch Out for Verbs that are not Measurable
WORDS TO AVOID PHRASES TO AVOID
• Believe
• Hear
• Realize
• Capacity
• Intelligence
• Recognize
• Comprehend
• Know
• See
• Conceptualize
• Listen
• Self-Actualize
• Memorize
• Think
• Experience
• Perceive
• Understand
• Feel
• Evidence a (n): To
Become: To Reduce:
• Appreciation for
• Acquainted with
• Adjusted to
• Awareness of
• Capable of
• Comprehension of
• Cognizant of
• Enjoyment of
• Conscious of
• Familiar with
• Interest in
• Interested in
• Knowledge of
• Knowledgeable about
• Understanding of
Taken from https://www.utica.edu/academic/Assessment/new/resources.cfm
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By Mike Burns