Impact map  

What?

An impact map is a diagram that shows the flows of materials and energy over the whole-life of a product.

Technology product example. You can click on the image below to view it full-screen, then you can zoom in to the level required to read the text. This image is also available as a PowerPoint file.

Why?

Creating an impact map helps to set priorities for improvement, based on the 'hot-spots' corresponding with the biggest impacts, across the whole-life of the product.

How?

An impact map can be drawn using a pen and paper, or any computer drawing package, such as Microsoft PowerPoint. In order to draw an impact map, you should:

• Familiarise yourself with the 3 basic building blocks within an impact map.
• Understand the Life-cycle stages, especially the pre-defined boundaries between the stages.
• Read the material on Setting the modelling objective and system boundary.
• Construct your own map, using the Template components provided, or using any drawing package or other modelling tool.

Contact: edc-toolkit@eng.cam.ac.uk to find out about consultancy support for producing an impact map.