During a post-graduate capacity building programme we saw Prof Johann Mouton develop process and conceptual maps to describe contexts and systems. Once one has done that it becomes easier to identify problems and define or evaluate interventions.
These were mostly done on paper, OHP transparencies or on a white board. Sometimes they were developed in a PowerPoint presentation.
Not easy to capture in digital format
To capture this sort of thinking digitally (ie on computer) is quite tricky the drawing features of MS Word and PowerPoint are tricky and slow. MS Visio is something that most people have either.
Alternative solution
I recently found the following piece of software which allows you to develop such 'maps' onscreen. Once developed you can save the resulting drawing in a multiplicity of formats
windows metafile and enhanced metafile for scalable inclusion into documents
gif and jpegs for web pages
high resolution tiff and related formats for accurate rendition
and a whole host of other formats I've not previously been aware of
Best of all it's freeware – so it doesn't cost you a cent (although I always like to send a donation to show my appreciation).
VisualThought
It's called VisualThought. I downloaded the file vt14.exe from
It all sounded very complex but it worked. Seldom will you get such a quality programme for nothing. Try it at least. It will take you about 30 minutes to master the basics.
Example
Warning
Part of the installation process, however, seems to set up a small programme which listens or sends information to the web site of the company which originally developed the programme.
The original company website at www.confluent.com no longer seems maintained. I have not been able to establish whether this ‘connection’ forms a danger or not.
