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Macrograph

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Term

Macrographic

Definition

A graphic that defines & integrates complex concepts three dimensionally.

Purpose

To facilitate rapid conceptual understanding

Background

Macrographics were first developed for specialist consultants who required rapid integration of unfamiliar concepts into their existing conceptual framework and needed to meaningfully apply this integrated knowledge in high risk strategic, tactical and operational business environments.

Today Macrographics are used to represent and integrate non-observable organisational activities and concepts, simply and without loss of complexity.

Macrographics are used largely to represent current, emerging or changing business environments and processes and are especially useful for inter-departmental cooperation where high level conceptual understanding and integration is necessary.

Macrographics have successfully been used in the Information Technology, Consulting, Talent Management and Mining industries.

Standard

A good Macrographic is one that can convey complex concepts instantly to a diverse audience who can then act immediately and meaningfully on their newly acquired knowledge and understanding.

We live in a time when less and less time is being given to convey more and more complex concepts to individuals who need to make personal and / or professional high risk decisions based on their understanding of the concepts.

The temporal constraints of the spoken and written word, limit them as primary pedagogic tools in concept management. Graphic communications are able to substantially increase message content while simultaneously reduce time to assimilate. A picture can say a thousand words – instantly.

Building

Building a Macrographic is part art and part science suggests Parker. The Builder needs to understand spatial relations between entities rather than objects and needs to be familiar with the concepts to be ‘concretised’ and integrated three dimensionally.

Once the central and peripheral concepts have been identified the Builder begins a process of conceptual alignment not unlike aligning the colours of a Rubik Cube.

Within this process the spatial relations between the various concepts are identified and used as the basis for the 3-D graphical representation of the concepts.

Once a core or overview Macrographic has been developed, all associated concepts are graphically aligned to facilitate seamless 3-D integration. This allows viewers to move within and between concepts through graphical links that retain relational and spatial integrity.

Medium

Originally Macrographics were built in graphic packages such as Microsoft Visio and Coral Draw. Today Macrographic Builders are exploring the medium of animation and game technology.

Future

There are exciting challenges ahead for Macrographic Builders, suggest Parker. ‘As we increasing need to ‘see’ and understand the complex public, private, personally and professional communities we have created’.