FOCUS-ROI Progress Mapping
A simple way to see where you are, what’s moving, and what still needs attention.
FOCUS-ROI Progress Mapping
A simple way to see where you are, what’s moving, and what still needs attention.
Purpose
Progress Mapping helps teams visualise movement through the five FOCUS-ROI stages:
Explore · Clarify · Shape · Validate · Execute
It makes progress visible, keeps focus shared, and highlights where learning or support is needed.
“Progress isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about seeing movement and learning together.”
How it fits in FOCUS-ROI
Each stage of FOCUS-ROI builds on the last.
Progress Mapping connects them in sequence to show where you are in the journey.
| Stage | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Explore | Define the problem — surface what’s unclear and worth investigating |
| Clarify | Understand limits — recognise constraints, patterns, and opportunities |
| Shape | Develop ideas — turn insights into simple, useful options |
| Validate | Test and improve — experiment, learn, and refine |
| Execute | Expand and succeed — scale what works and embed improvements |
You can add other tools (such as 4C, 3D, or ABCD) at any stage to deepen understanding, explore causes, or align value.
How to use on a whiteboard
Set up the flow
Draw five columns:
Explore · Clarify · Shape · Validate · Execute
Under each column, add rows for:
- Done
- In motion
- Next
Move items across as progress unfolds.
Example:
“Customer feedback delays” starts in Explore.
“Trial dashboard” moves to Validate.
Track movement
Use stickies, colours, or small notes to show change.
Update regularly — during stand-ups, reviews, or planning sessions.
Example:
- Red = blocked
- Blue = in progress
- Green = validated
Reflect together
Step back and ask:
- Where are we spending most energy?
- What is learning telling us?
- What feels ready to move forward?
The goal is shared visibility, not speed.
Stage overview
| Stage | Focus | Pillars in play | Key questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore | Define what matters and why | Break it down · Make it better | What’s happening? What’s unclear? |
| Clarify | Understand limits and context | Prioritise what matters · Break it down | What’s shaping this problem? |
| Shape | Turn insight into options | Keep it simple · Make it better | What options feel useful? |
| Validate | Test and refine | Keep it simple · Prioritise what matters | What works? What needs adjusting? |
| Execute | Expand and sustain success | Make it better · Prioritise what matters | What scales well? |
Example flow
| Stage | Example focus | Progress | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore | “Customer feedback unclear” | ☑ | Problem defined |
| Clarify | “Limited visibility into data” | ☑ | Gaps identified |
| Shape | “Prototype feedback dashboard” | ☐ | Design in progress |
| Validate | “Trial dashboard with two teams” | ☐ | Gathering insight |
| Execute | “Rollout across organisation” | ☐ | Pending validation |
At-a-glance tracker
| Stage | Key task | Progress (☑/☐) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore | Problem defined | ☐ | |
| Clarify | Limits identified | ☐ | |
| Shape | Options prioritised | ☐ | |
| Validate | Pilot tested | ☐ | |
| Execute | Rollout sustained | ☐ |
Reflection prompts
- What stage are we in right now?
- What’s moving smoothly — and what’s stuck?
- What learning have we gained this week?
- Which pillar can help us move forward?
Remember
Every stage builds clarity and momentum.
Progress means learning, not just completion.
Use other FOCUS-ROI tools to go deeper when needed.
Celebrate visible movement — big or small.
FOCUS-ROI Progress Mapping
A simple way to stay aligned, reflective, and moving forward together.