11. January 2016
Anil Kumar
General
What is a conceptual diagram?
- A high-level visual representation for showing relationship between abstract-concepts.
Purpose?
- To communicate an abstract idea in concise way without lengthy explanations.
What is used to create?
- It can include Symbols, Shapes and can be colorful. If symbols are used, a key should be affixed to indicate what that symbol represents.
- Arrows OR Lines are used as connectors.
Can have various version?
- Yes. Different version can be created for explaining the same thing to different level of audiences(expertise/knowledge level). For example- S/w experts may have different version than the users that don't have any s/w expertise.
Where to Use?
Planning & General Purpose
- explaining Processes
- explaining interactions of complex systems
- explaining Business strategy
- and so on...
Problem Solving
- solving abstract problems -> brainstorming
- and so on...
Steps to design
- Find out the central idea which the proposed diagram intends to communicate.
- Place this central-idea in the center place i.e. heart of the diagram. In most of cases, this central-idea is written as text in a blank background shape.
- Find the other associated abstract concepts and fit them along with this central-idea. Note- Use only most relevant/important information otherwise so many lines/shapes will make confusion.
And that's all !