Extra Material: Network Mapping Exercise
Network Mapping Exercise
Download as pdf here
Objective
To create a visual representation of your professional network, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and discover opportunities for growth.
Materials Needed
- Large sheet of paper or digital mind-mapping tool
- Different colored pens or digital color options
- Post-it notes (if using paper)
Steps
1. Center Yourself
Start by writing your name in the center of the paper or digital canvas.
2. Identify Key Categories
Create main branches from the center for different categories of connections. For software development managers, these might include:
- Current Colleagues
- Former Colleagues
- Industry Peers
- Clients (Current and Potential)
- Vendors/Suppliers
- Mentors/Advisors
- Professional Association Members
- Open Source Contributors
- Conference Contacts
- Online Community Connections (e.g., GitHub, Stack Overflow)
- Academic Contacts (e.g., from courses or training)
3. Add Individual Connections
Under each category, add branches for individual connections. Include their name and role. If using a digital tool, you might add links to their LinkedIn profiles.
4. Assess Relationship Strength
Use different colors to indicate the strength of each relationship:
- Green: Strong, active relationship
- Yellow: Moderate relationship
- Red: Weak or inactive relationship
5. Identify Key Players
Mark connections who are particularly influential or well-connected in your industry with a star or other symbol.
6. Note Areas of Expertise
For each connection, add keywords representing their areas of expertise or influence. This can help you quickly see what resources are available in your network.
7. Indicate Frequency of Contact
Use symbols to show how often you interact with each connection:
- ? Daily
- ? Weekly
- ? Monthly
- ? Yearly or less
8. Add Potential Connections
Include branches for people or organizations you’d like to connect with but haven’t yet. Use a different color for these potential connections.
9. Analyze Your Map
After completing your map, take some time to analyze it:
- Where are the clusters in your network?
- Where are the gaps?
- Who are the key influencers?
- Which relationships need nurturing?
- Are there potential connections that could fill important gaps?
10. Action Planning
Based on your analysis, create an action plan:
- Identify 3-5 key relationships to strengthen
- List 3-5 new connections you want to make
- Plan specific actions to expand your network in areas where it’s weak
Follow-up
Review and update your network map quarterly. This will help you track your progress and ensure your networking efforts align with your professional goals.
Remember, the goal isn’t to have the largest network, but to cultivate a diverse, strong, and mutually beneficial network that supports your professional growth and your organization’s success in winning project bids.