Asset Mapping

How to do Asset Mapping (8 Steps)

• Step 1: Establish the Purpose or Objective

  The first step that you need to take before you can start the process of asset mapping is to establish the objective of the same. In other words, you need to figure out why you are mapping that particular. Keep in mind that your mapping objective is different from the overarching goal of what you could do with the knowledge that you will ultimately map. The objective of your process will help you determine the type and amount of resources, the people, and other elements that you would need for it. Along with this, you would also need to set the start date and the end date for the project.

• Step 2: Map the Internal Resources and Get a Mapping Manager

  Most of the time it so happens that the administration of the mapping process is ignored or disregarded. This generally happens because of two reasons. Firstly, the process is considered as a very simple process that does not require administration. Secondly, because mapping is a temporary route to a bigger task, it is considered insignificant to administer. Hence, you need to find out what internal resources are available for the process. Also, guaranteeing proper communication and support are necessary for making use of the final mapping data. The mapping manager will need to coordinate several focal areas such as getting the required funding, figuring out how to get the assets, etc.

• Step 3: Find a Director for the Mapping Process

  People often get caught up in the actual mapping process as they meet a lot of new people and find a lot of interesting data. However, it is very important to make sure that your plan to do more than just gather information has someone in a position to make it a reality. A project manager must be chosen who will be committed to the mission statement you have created for mapping. This is crucial as this individual will be the one to guide the members to do the research that inspired the mapping process.

• Step 4: Form a Consulting Group

  The group of advisers is a collection of active volunteers. To oversee a mapping project, it’s not just a dozen people who fill a board room. There are two main roles for the advisory group. This includes the mapping manager and the surveyor. The surveyors would generally be people living within the regional focus area. Such surveyors can be found by word of mouth at local job centers, and referrals from community-based organizations.

• Step 5: Secure Funds for the Mapping

  Before you can proceed to secure funds for the project, you need to develop a budget. Consider the resources you have access to and the resources that you will be needing other than that. Keep that in line with the methods and procedures that you will follow for the process and it will help you develop the budget. This will help you decide whether and if so how much funding will be needed.

• Step 6: Use Varied Tools and Methods

  People often think of mapping assets as gathering information across an area through door-to-door interviews. Sure this is a way to map but it is not the only viable form. There are other ways to map assets too. For example, you can study online outlets, including advertisements, local newspapers, newsletters, and directories. Another way involves interviewing leaders at semi-formal associations and formal institutions such as non-profits or local businesses. When you make use of different tools and methods for the task, you will ensure uniform documentation of the entire process.

• Step 7: Store Correct Info

  All the hard work that you put into the task of mapping the assets will be for naught if the wrong information is stored. This is why you need to make sure that the correct information is stored. For the success of the mapping process, a field information log is necessary. The data that you need to be especially careful includes the date of entry, the sources, the people involved, their names and their details, etc.