Synergy Map

The Synergy Map is a visualization technique that helps you identify synergies in your activities and manage potential conflicts. It provides a clear, visual way to understand how different elements of your work, organization, or project relate to each other.

By mapping out relationships between activities, resources, goals, or team members, you can see where synergies exist—places where efforts reinforce each other and create greater value together than they would separately. You can also identify potential conflicts—situations where different activities compete for resources, create contradictions, or work against each other.

This tool is particularly valuable in complex situations where multiple activities, teams, or initiatives are happening simultaneously. It helps you see the big picture and make decisions that optimize the whole system, not just individual parts.

Step 1: Identify Elements

Start by listing the key elements you want to map. These could be activities, projects, teams, resources, goals, or any other relevant elements. Write each one on a separate card or sticky note.

Step 2: Map Relationships

Place the elements on a large surface and draw connections between them. Use different types of lines or colors to indicate different types of relationships:

• Solid lines or green for synergies (positive relationships)
• Dashed lines or red for conflicts (negative relationships)
• Thick lines for strong relationships, thin lines for weak ones

Step 3: Analyze Patterns

Look for clusters of synergies—groups of elements that strongly support each other. These are areas where you can create additional value by strengthening connections. Also identify isolated elements or conflict zones that need attention.

Step 4: Take Action

Use the insights from your map to make decisions. Strengthen synergies by creating more connections or allocating resources to support them. Address conflicts by finding ways to resolve them or by adjusting priorities.

Be Specific: The more specific you are about what each element represents, the more useful your map will be. Vague categories won't reveal meaningful relationships.

Include All Relevant Elements: Don't leave out elements just because they seem less important. Sometimes the most valuable insights come from seeing how seemingly minor elements connect to major ones.

Update Regularly: As situations change, relationships change too. Update your Synergy Map periodically to keep it current and useful.

Use in Groups: The Synergy Map is particularly powerful when created collaboratively. Different perspectives help identify relationships that might not be obvious to any single person.