For centuries people have created and used maps. Maps were there to help them define, explain, and navigate their way through the world.

Somewhere around 14,500 BC, men started making maps. The earliest known maps were found on the walls of the Lascaux caves and map out part of the night sky. Men could see the stars and could map them.

Later on, they started drawing maps from the information they gathered from others and from traveling themselves. Part of the maps were experience, others were conceptualized.

When we design projects we have a similar procedure. We gather information by analyzing the market, knowing problems others seek to solve and discussing with others. Using that information we conceptualize our project and draw a map. It can be a long or elaborate business plan, or a modern business plan or a description of a variety of its aspects as they are needed until delivery.

What all of them have in common is, that they are the project design, it’s structure.

Once we start implementing the plan, details appear which transform the plan and bring it to life.

The map is not the territory.