FOCUS-ROI Idea Mapping
A clear, shared way to see what’s valuable — and what’s ready to move next.
FOCUS-ROI Idea Mapping
A clear, shared way to see what’s valuable — and what’s ready to move next.
What is Idea Mapping?
Idea Mapping is a simple visual method for exploring, comparing, and aligning ideas.
It helps teams see what holds the most value and what kind of action fits best right now — without complex scoring or heavy analysis.
It is part of the FOCUS-ROI ecosystem and works alongside tools such as ABCD Value Mapping, Action Mapping, and Progress Mapping.
Use it whenever ideas need sorting, shaping, or selecting.
“Ideas don’t compete — they evolve.
Each moves when the time is right.”
How it works
Idea Mapping combines two things in one view:
- Value — how much impact an idea could create compared with the effort it takes
- Suggested Action — what kind of move fits best right now: Explore, Clarify, Shape, Validate, or Execute
Ideas tend to move up and to the right as they gain clarity, shrink in size, and grow in value.
The grid shows where each idea sits today — and what could help it move forward tomorrow.
The Idea Mapping grid
| Execute
│
│ Validate
│
│ Shape ← Above the line = focus now
│=============================== Drop-off line
│ Clarify
│
│ Explore
└────────────────────────────────────────→
D – Drifter C – Cruiser B – Booster A – Accelerator
- Bottom → Top: Suggested Action (Explore → Execute)
- Left → Right: Value (Drifter → Accelerator)
- Above the line: Within the current focus or scope
- Below the line: Still valuable — just not ready yet
The drop-off does not disqualify ideas.
It simply marks what is not ready now.
How to use the grid
1. Start with value
Decide where each idea sits on the Impact / Effort scale.
Use the same five-step patterns as in the Quick Guide.
Impact
“How much difference could this make?”
Lowest → Low → Medium → High → Highest
Effort
“How much lift or work will this take?”
Lowest → Low → Medium → High → Highest
Then categorise each idea:
- A – Accelerator: High impact, low effort
- B – Booster: High impact, medium effort
- C – Cruiser: Medium or high impact, high effort
- D – Drifter: Low impact, high effort
2. Add suggested action
Use Clarity and Size to sense what action fits next.
| Clarity | Foggy → Unclear → Vague → Clear → Defined |
|---|---|
| Size | Huge → Large → Medium → Small → Tiny |
Match this to the FOCUS-ROI stages:
| Suggested action | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Explore | Unclear + Huge — find out what the idea really is |
| Clarify | Foggy + Large — identify limits and refine focus |
| Shape | Vague + Medium — design a simple, testable version |
| Validate | Clear + Small — test and learn fast |
| Execute | Defined + Tiny — just do it |
3. Place ideas on the grid
Each sticky represents one idea.
Place it where Value (A–D) meets Suggested Action (Explore–Execute).
Draw a horizontal line under Shape.
- Everything above the line is within scope now
- Everything below stays visible for future sessions
Below the line does not mean discard.
It means deferred clarity.
Example: team communication improvements
| Idea | Impact | Effort | Clarity | Size | Value | Suggested action | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared update email | High | Low | Defined | Tiny | A | Execute | Top-right |
| Feedback dashboard | High | Medium | Clear | Small | B | Validate | Upper-right |
| Internal knowledge base | Medium | High | Vague | Medium | C | Shape | Mid-grid |
| Stand-up rotation | High | High | Foggy | Large | C | Clarify | Below line |
| AI assistant prototype | High | Highest | Unclear | Huge | D | Explore | Bottom-left |
Interpretation
- A–Execute, B–Validate, C–Shape → act now
- C–Clarify, D–Explore → keep learning; revisit later
How to read the grid together
- Cluster ideas: Where do most stickies land?
- Spot the focus zone: Anything above Shape + Cruiser deserves attention
- Check the drop-off: Which ideas need more clarity or time?
- Reflect: How does this pattern match what matters most right now?
“Above the line: act.
Below the line: learn.”
Why it works
- Keeps value and action visible together
- Creates clarity without over-analysis
- Makes it safe to park ideas without losing them
- Encourages movement as clarity grows
When to use it
- After brainstorming — to find what is worth shaping
- During planning — to agree on next actions
- In reviews — to see how ideas have evolved
- Across teams — to align where energy goes
Remember
- Same pattern everywhere: five-step scales
- Value flows left → right
- Suggested Action flows bottom → top
- C+ and Shape+ mark the focus zone
- Below the line is not discard — it is deferred clarity
- Re-map often — value and context change
FOCUS-ROI Idea Mapping
A simple, shared map for understanding where ideas stand, what to act on now, and what to keep shaping for later.