Challenge mapping can help to make a broad overview of a complex problem setting. Thereby it can show how a certain challenge extends its reach across sectoral and organisational borders and can thereby require both punctual and systemic interventions and even a certain sequencing of them.

The main aim of a challenge map is to support conversations with experts that have understanding about a complex challenge and could potentially contribute to finding solutions that overcome the identified barriers.

The stakeholders are either gathered together to discuss the ‘anatomy’ of the challenge or are interviewed individually or in groups to inform the team that visualises the challenge map.

An expert group could deliver the required content within half a day but the visualisation time would come on top of that (and would vary according to the level of ambition). The process might also need several iterative rounds for the map to correspond well enough with the experts’ view of the challenge. eg. Some methods require a minimum amount of planning and implementation otherwise they risk being poor quality or little impact. Others can be deployed quickly.

Work in one group or several groups that come together and do the exercise again together. List the reasons why it is important to tackle the chosen challenge. Formulate a vision where the challenge has actually been solved. Identify which barriers have to be overcome for the vision to realize. Name the ‘sore points’ where development is slow due to some barriers. Name the aspects of the ‘cure’, i.e. the leverage points where changing a specific aspect of the underlying problem will have a major impact. Visualise the outcome to get an overview – and preferably revise the draft with those who participated.