FOCUS-ROI Action Mapping
A visual way to see what each piece of work is telling you — and decide what to do next.
FOCUS-ROI Action Mapping
A visual way to see what each piece of work is telling you — and decide what to do next.
Purpose
Action Mapping helps teams sense what kind of action might be most or least useful right now.
It does not give orders.
It offers signals that teams interpret together.
The map simply shows where clarity and size meet.
The decision comes from shared judgement.
“The map suggests — the team decides.”
How it fits in FOCUS-ROI
Every task, idea, or issue gives off signals of clarity and size.
Action Mapping helps teams read those signals and find a suggested next move within the FOCUS-ROI growth process:
Explore → Clarify → Shape → Validate → Execute
It connects naturally with other FOCUS-ROI tools:
- 4C and 3D Root Cause Mapping help explain why something feels unclear or large
- ABCD Value Mapping helps prioritise what matters most
- Progress Mapping shows where each item moves next
Action Mapping sits at the point where sense-making turns into movement.
The Action Matrix
| Clarity ↓ / Size → | Tiny | Small | Medium | Large | Huge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unclear | Explore | Explore | Explore | Explore → Clarify | Explore → Clarify |
| Foggy | Explore → Shape | Explore → Shape | Explore → Clarify | Clarify | Clarify |
| Vague | Shape | Refine | Clarify → Shape | Clarify → Shape | Clarify |
| Clear | Validate | Validate | Shape → Validate | Shape | Clarify |
| Defined | Execute | Execute | Validate → Execute | Shape | Clarify |
How to read the matrix
- Rows show how clear the work feels right now
- Columns show how big or complex it feels
- Each cell suggests a next step, not a command
- Arrows (→) indicate something sits between two stages
The team interprets what the pattern means using discussion, experience, and evidence.
Suggested FOCUS-ROI actions
| Action | When to use | Team reflection |
|---|---|---|
| Explore | Low clarity or uncertain size | “What are we really solving?” |
| Clarify | Work feels large or confusing | “What needs breaking down or simplifying?” |
| Shape | Idea forming but not ready | “What would make this easier to test?” |
| Validate | Clear and small enough to try | “What would success look like in use?” |
| Execute | Defined and ready | “Is this small enough to deliver now?” |
How to use on a whiteboard
1.Draw two axes
- Vertical: Clarity (Unclear → Defined)
- Horizontal: Size (Huge → Tiny)
2.Add work items
Place each item where it feels right.
Precision is not the goal.
3.Read the signals
Look at where items cluster.
The matrix suggests what kind of action might help next.
4.Decide together
Ask:
- What signals do we see?
- Do we agree on where this sits?
- Which FOCUS-ROI step would help most now?
The map points.
People decide.
Reflection prompts
- What patterns do we notice on the map?
- Which items need clarity before size — or the other way around?
- What would move this one step closer to Defined + Tiny?
- Which pillar supports us best right now?
(Break it down? Keep it simple?)
Remember
- The matrix is a guide, not a rule
- Teams interpret signals — not follow instructions
- The goal is learning and clarity, not perfect placement
- Each conversation builds shared understanding
That shared understanding is the real progress.
FOCUS-ROI Action Mapping
A simple way to surface signals, decide together, and move forward with clarity.