History Map
The History Map method is a powerful tool for organizations to reflect on their past and use it to guide future strategies. It involves creating a visual timeline of significant events, changes, and milestones, which helps teams appreciate past achievements and challenges. This method is particularly useful during periods of change or when onboarding new team members.
How to run it
- 1
Draw a continuous timeline on flip-chart paper, marking years and significant periods. Hang the paper along a wall.
- 2
Participants write their names and draw self-portraits on sticky notes, placing them on the timeline year they joined the organization.
- 3
Facilitate discussions about key organizational events, asking participants to share stories and plot successes, lessons, leadership changes, and other milestones on the timeline.
- 4
Use icons to categorize events for easy visual recognition, such as stars for successes and arrows for changes in revenue.
- 5
Conclude by summarizing the timeline, discussing patterns, and exploring how past experiences can inform future directions.
Tips
Encourage open storytelling and ensure that both long-term and newer members of the organization contribute.
Prepare icons in advance for quick visual categorization of events.
Keep the map visible throughout the session to allow ongoing reflection.
Variations
Consider having participants line up in order of when they joined the organization before placing their sticky notes to foster interaction and discovery. Use digital tools to create a virtual history map for remote teams.
Where it fits
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.