Asset-Mapping Process
Asset Mapping Chapter 1 (1).MOVStep 1: Why is Asset Mapping Valuable for your Community?
This first video orients the listener to the asset mapping process. The video provides a basic fundamental overview of an asset map and why it is valuable for human service workers and the populations they work with. Finally, the video orients the listeners to the resources that are available on this website to guide the asset mapping process.
Video credit: Dr. Kristin Bolton: Ph.D., MSW, Associate Professor, Interim MSW Coordinator at UNCWhd2.mp4Step 2: Identifying Assets in Your Community
Given that asset mapping is a process by which you gather information regarding the assets/resources available within a community, one of the most important steps is to identify the individuals, groups, entities, etc. (stakeholders) from whom you will obtain this information. To this end, the process of identifying the specific stakeholders you will invite to be part of the asset mapping process is crucial to your overall success. By definition, a stakeholder is “a person, group, or organization that affects, or can be affected, by what happens in the community” (p. 15).
Video credit: Dr. Kristen DeVall: Associate Professor, Sociology and Criminology at UNCW
Resources for Step 2:
Identifying and Determining Stakeholders.pdfWHO_stakeholder analysis ppt.pdfhd1 (4).mp4Step 3: Virtual, Small Group, or Neighborhood Gathering Asset Mapping.
Which method is best for you?
The asset mapping process must be led and conducted by the residents that call the neighborhood or community home. Because it is about relationships, Asset Mapping will not be as effective if it is done by professionals from outside of the community.
Resources for Step 3:
Asset Maping Toolkit Preston City Council.pdfAsset-Mapping-ToolkitRLG.pdfnla-toolkit.pdfIMG_3751 (1).MOVStep 4: Creating Categories of Resources in Your Community
A community asset (or community resource, a very similar term) is anything that can be used to improve the quality of community life. And this means:
It can be a person
It can be a physical structure or place
It can be a community service
It can be a business
You and everyone else in the community are potential community assets. Everyone has some skills or talents, and everyone can provide knowledge about the community, connections to the people they know, and the kind of support that every effort needs.
sd1 (2).mp4Step 5: The Asset Mapping Process
Asset-Based: Uncovers talents/skills found in the community right now
Internally Focused: Relies on the community’s assets, not on those found outside of it
Relationship Driven: Seeks to build linkages among local people, institutions, and organizations
Resources for Step 5:
AssetMappingToolkit.pdfAsset Mapping Toolkit CI V2.pdfsd1 (3).mp4Step 6: What to do With the Data?
This resource provides you with some ideas for how to analyze and present the information you gathered during the asset mapping activities.
In addition, you may have gathered detailed information regarding patient experiences, providers’ perspectives, etc. through interviews, focus groups, observation, etc. (qualitative data).
Both forms of data are incredibly useful during asset mapping and together provide a full picture of the assets that exist.
Whether you’ve gathered quantitative data, qualitative data, or both, the next step is to share this information with the larger community. This resource provides information on three dissemination strategies:
Reports – formal method of displaying results from asset mapping activities.
Presentations – formal method of sharing information that can be done with multiple audiences.
Databases – electronically available repository of information gathered during asset mapping activities.
Video credit: Dr. Kristen DeVall: Associate Professor, Sociology and Criminology at UNCW