Culture Map (Dave Gray)
Visualizes organizational culture: Outcomes, Behaviors, Enablers/Blockers.
PURPOSE
Organizational culture is often difficult to grasp and frequently reduced to vague descriptions in discussions, making targeted culture work difficult. The Culture Map by Dave Gray makes culture tangible by linking visible behaviors with their causes and desired outcomes. It enables teams to diagnose their current culture and identify specific levers for change.
HOW TO USE
The canvas is filled out together as a team or in a workshop, starting by defining the desired Outcomes (results). Then the Behaviors (actions) that lead to these outcomes are identified. Next, Enablers (facilitators) and Blockers (obstacles) for these behaviors are collected. The results reveal where levers for cultural change can be applied.
WHAT IT IS
The Culture Map is a canvas tool developed by Dave Gray for visualizing and analyzing organizational culture. It consists of three levels: Outcomes (desired results), Behaviors (observable actions), and Enablers/Blockers (factors that promote or hinder behavior). The canvas makes the causal relationships between cultural aspects visible and actionable.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your startup has two very different team cultures under one roof after acquiring a competitor. Using the Culture Map (Dave Gray), you visualize the lived behaviors, desired outcomes, and enablers/blockers for both teams, making cultural differences tangible and open for discussion.
PREREQUISITES
- Openness to uncomfortable findings
- Skill: Culture facilitation without blame
⚠️ WATCH OUT
- Naming blockers often means naming leadership behavior — a safe space is needed
- Common mistake: Stopping at outcomes
- Common mistake: Collecting blockers without addressing them
💡 SUCCESS FACTORS
- One concrete change initiative per core blocker