What is Oval Mapping for?

Oval Mapping is a technique to help a group of people work out the ideas around an issue. You may choose to follow a formal methodology, or you may just use the ovals in an informal manner, but they are a great way of getting people to participate in discussion and to map out ideas.

Typical uses include:

• Developing a strategy
• Discovering how ideas fit together
• Negotiating

The key is that by writing ideas on the ovals, placing them on the appropriate place on the wall, and adding links between them, the participants develop a shared understanding of the issue under consideration. Depending on the requirements, further ovals can then be used to work out a possible action plan.