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All concept maps have the features listed above, but there are variations in their implementation and arrangement. Here are four main types of concept maps and some tips on when to use them.
Spider mapping
Spider maps, or spider diagrams, are a type of concept map that looks like a spider web. Your main idea or focus question goes in the center, with topics branching out radially. Spider maps work best when exploring various facets of one central concept. Some uses for spider maps include:
- Studying a topic with many sub-topics
- Brainstorming around a central business concept
Flowcharting
Use a flowchart to create a visual representation of a process or workflow. Flowcharts have a linear structure that naturally leads readers through the information step-by-step. Some common uses for flowcharts include:
- Designing an employee onboarding workflow
- Outlining a customer journey or sales funnel process
System mapping
Instead of relating all ideas back to a central concept, system maps focus on the relationships between ideas. They often lack a clearly defined hierarchical structure. System maps are often used to record and organize thoughts that interact within a defined environment or ecosystem, such as:
- The elements contributing to an organization’s culture
- The complex factors contributing to an overarching issue within a community or country, like global climate change or poverty within a specific urban area
Hierarchy mapping
Hierarchy maps provide a visual representation of rank or position. In a hierarchy map, the main idea or highest-ranking concept is at the top of the map, with lower-ranking ideas flowing underneath. Some types of hierarchy maps you might be familiar with include:
- Corporate organizational charts
- Ancestry charts and family trees
