Tactical Mapping is a method of visualizing the institutions and relationships sustaining human rights abuses, and then tracking the nature and potency of tactics available to affect these systems, ultimately serving as a tool to monitor the implementation of strategy.

The process begins by understanding the relationship that a campaign seeks to change or disrupt (such as the relationship between a torturer and a victim), then diagramming the relationships in which this strategic target is embedded, using a series of symbols comparable to a flow chart or organizational diagram.

Once the diagram is complete, it is used to “map tactics,” to understand which relationship(s) each tactic is expected to affect, and how. These two processes create a diagnosis of the situation in the given country, including the key relationships surrounding human rights abuses, the impact of existing tactics in use, and the intervention points that are not being addressed.

Tactical mapping can be used to think about:

• What key relationships need to be affected to move your issue and strategy forward?
• What tactics are currently at play or available?
• How do these tactics affect the context, organizations, key relationships, etc., you want to target?
• What key institutions, social groups or relationships are unaffected by current tactics?
• What tactics might be used to engage the areas currently unaffected?
• Can potential allies be identified for building a more comprehensive and effective strategy?

For an brief description of Tactical Mapping, consult our 2-page Tactical Mapping Article, also available in Croatian, Spanish, Tetum (East Timor) and Turkish.

The Overview of Tactical Mapping offers a more comprehensive history of the tool as well as some detailed examples of its application.

For a practical guide to creating a Tactical Map, see our Tactical Mapping Tool, which uses the example of "A Tactical Map of the Issue of Torture". This resource is also available in Croatian, French, Spanish and Turkish.

More resources on mapping/visualization:

• You can find additional resources for a variety of mapping tools by accessing our Tactical Database Keyword Search and searching for “mapping allies."
• Mapping systems: Making complex relationships visible and understandable. This presentation from our 2004 World Symposium explores ideas for using GPS, GIS and other kinds of mapping.
• 'Visualizing Information for Advocacy' by the Tactical Technology Collective (6.85 mb).
• Turkey STRA-MAP (in Turkish)