Define vs. Journey Map: Two Methods to Expertise Development
Whenever you need to expertise going by way of a recreation…
Would you need to expertise A or B?
A) Textual content Define
B) Journey Map
After we take a look at Tremendous Mario Bros. 3, probably the most well-known recreation from 1988 to 1991, there are two methods to consider its construction. One is the define—a easy sequence of levels: Grass Land, Desert Land, Water Land, all the way in which to Darkish Land. The opposite is the journey map, a vivid format the place all worlds exist collectively in a single interconnected view. Each views seize the identical journey, however they affect how we really feel concerning the development.
This distinction reveals two approaches in gamification: implicit gamification and express gamification. An overview represents implicit gamification—progress is tracked in a logical, linear means, however it could really feel summary. The journey map represents express gamification—gamers see their journey visualized, perceive the entire panorama, and really feel possession of their progress.
In a gamification design, we separate these two varieties of design into two main sorts on a spectrum.
A) Implicit Gamification Design – doesn’t appear like a recreation, however accommodates recreation parts
B) Specific Gamification Design – fully appears like a recreation
So why does this matter outdoors of video games? As a result of in enterprise, training, and private development, we’re all the time designing journeys. Whether or not you’re constructing a coaching program or a buyer onboarding expertise, the way in which you current progress can change how individuals have interaction with it.
Six Advantages of Utilizing an Journey Map Strategy
- Readability of Imaginative and prescient (Core Drive 2: Growth of Accomplishment)
A map lets individuals see the entire journey without delay. As an alternative of simply transferring ahead step-by-step, they will place their present progress in a broader context. This strengthens motivation and reduces uncertainty. - Sense of Possession (Core Drive 4: Possession and Possession)
Visible maps reinforce the concept that the journey belongs to the participant (or learner, worker, buyer). This creates a stronger bond with the method as a result of they aren’t simply following directions—they’re adventuring. - Milestone Pleasure (Core Drive 2: Growth of Accomplishment)
With a map, each vacation spot looks like a milestone. Gamers anticipate not simply ending the following step, however reaching the following land. In real-world contexts, this makes achievements extra memorable and value celebrating. - Elevated Engagement (Core Drive 7: Unpredictability and Curiosity)
A map transforms summary progress into a visible journey. This stimulates curiosity, encouraging individuals to discover extra and keep engaged longer. - Emotional Connection (Core Drive 1: Epic Which means and Calling)
Maps create a story-like expertise the place progress looks like journey. This emotional layer deepens satisfaction and makes achievements extra significant. - Strategic Flexibility (Core Drive 3: Empowerment of Creativity)
A map lets individuals plan forward whereas additionally providing alternate routes. As an alternative of feeling locked right into a single monitor, they will anticipate challenges, select methods, and discover totally different paths that match their type.
When to Use Specific Gamification in Software program Design
Specific gamification refers to including seen, game-like parts—factors, badges, leaderboards, maps, ranges—that sign progress and achievement. It differs from implicit gamification, which is extra refined (like suggestions loops, pacing, or circulation). Specific design works greatest when motivation must be seen, shared, and strengthened.
Enterprise Software program
- When engagement drives income or retention: For apps like buyer loyalty platforms or e-commerce experiences, express gamification retains customers returning. Progress bars for rewards, tiered membership ranges, or achievement badges present clients their progress and future rewards.
- When onboarding wants momentum: New customers might be guided by way of tutorials with clear milestones and celebratory suggestions to cut back drop-off.
2. Faculties and Training Expertise
- When studying progress ought to really feel rewarding: College students profit from seen accomplishments—badges for mastering abilities, ranges for advancing, or adventure-map views of curriculum. These reinforce Core Drive 2 (Growth & Accomplishment) and Core Drive 3 (Empowerment of Creativity & Suggestions).
- When sustaining motivation in lengthy programs: Specific gamification breaks giant targets (like semester-long topics) into smaller, thrilling milestones. This helps college students see that they’re rising steadily, not simply ready for remaining exams.
3. Companies and Office Platforms
- When encouraging participation in non-mandatory duties: Inside coaching, compliance modules, or wellness packages profit from seen recreation mechanics. Leaderboards, streaks, and completion badges can push staff to take part constantly.
- When constructing group tradition: Firm-wide challenges (e.g., innovation sprints, gross sales contests) might be tracked with gamified dashboards, making progress clear and collective.
- When recognizing achievements: Public recognition by way of badges or factors provides staff validation past wage, reinforcing intrinsic motivation.
When NOT to Use Specific Gamification in Software program Design
There are additionally instances you must keep away from express gamification when the context requires subtlety, professionalism, or simplicity. In industries the place credibility and belief are paramount, comparable to healthcare, finance, or regulation, including factors, badges, or playful mechanics can undermine the perceived seriousness of the product. When customers are already intrinsically motivated by mastery, curiosity, or skilled duty, express gamification can really feel manipulative or pointless. In these instances, implicit gamification by way of well-timed suggestions, progressive challenges, and intuitive design retains motivation genuine whereas avoiding distractions.
Another excuse to keep away from express gamification is value and complexity. Constructing and sustaining seen reward methods requires design effort, growth time, and ongoing updates. This raises the educational curve for customers and will increase useful resource calls for for the enterprise. If the product’s goal is effectivity, utility, or short-term use, the funding might not present significant returns. In such instances, sticking to implicit gamification ensures easy, motivating experiences with out overspending or complicating the product.
When subtlety preserves authenticity
For learners or professionals pushed by mastery and function, seen factors or badges can cheapen the expertise. Implicit gamification—by way of easy suggestions, pacing, or narrative—retains motivation genuine with out distractions.
When credibility issues
In industries like healthcare, finance, or regulation, playful alerts might conflict with skilled tradition. Implicit design sustains engagement whereas preserving belief and authority.
When simplicity is simpler
Specific mechanics add layers—leaderboards, badges, maps—that elevate the educational curve. If customers solely want an easy workflow, implicit design is extra pure.
When the value outweighs the profit
Designing, implementing, and sustaining express gamification methods (progress maps, reward dashboards) requires extra assets. If the enterprise metrics don’t demand long-term engagement, the return might not justify the funding.
When it’s not aligned with targets
Not each product wants seen gamification. If the enterprise purpose is effectivity, utility, or short-term use, implicit mechanics (frictionless circulation, readability, and refined reinforcement) can obtain success with out additional layers.
Implicit gamification design
Implicit gamification design can assist by making progress really feel pure and rewarding with out the necessity for apparent recreation mechanics. As an alternative of badges or leaderboards, it makes use of refined parts like clear suggestions, progressive challenges, and easy pacing to create engagement. This strategy retains the expertise seamless and genuine, which is particularly highly effective in skilled or academic contexts the place overt gamification would possibly really feel misplaced. When executed properly, implicit design motivates customers to maintain going as a result of the system itself feels satisfying to make use of.
One other power of implicit gamification is that it reduces complexity for each customers and builders. Folks don’t must study additional layers of factors or maps, but they nonetheless really feel a way of accomplishment as they transfer ahead. For organizations, it means much less value and upkeep in comparison with constructing express gamification methods. Most significantly, implicit design aligns with a variety of targets, from studying retention in colleges to workflow effectivity in companies. It quietly reinforces desired behaviors whereas preserving the give attention to the core product or mission.
Case Research
View extra Case Research at https://octalysisgroup.com/case-studies-tog
How you can use Gamification Design
Step one is to determine the core targets of your product or program, comparable to rising buyer loyalty, enhancing studying outcomes, or driving worker participation. As soon as these targets are clear, you may design mechanics that make progress towards them seen and rewarding. This might be so simple as progress bars exhibiting course completion or as elaborate as maps that show the bigger journey. The secret’s to make the consumer really feel they’re advancing meaningfully.
The subsequent step is to pick the precise mechanics in your viewers. For instance, college students might reply properly to ranges, badges, and challenges that reinforce mastery, whereas staff might choose recognition methods, streaks, and group leaderboards. Clients in enterprise contexts usually worth loyalty tiers, unique unlocks, or limited-time challenges. The mechanics ought to tie immediately into intrinsic motivators like development, creativity, and social validation, not simply extrinsic rewards. Selecting the right combination ensures the gamification feels pure moderately than pressured.
Lastly, gamification have to be monitored and refined over time. Knowledge on engagement, completion, or retention can reveal whether or not the mechanics are working as meant. If progress feels too straightforward, the sense of accomplishment might fade. If it feels too laborious, customers might disengage. By adjusting problem, pacing, or reward constructions, you may maintain the expertise balanced and fascinating. Accomplished properly, gamification transforms peculiar interactions into journeys that customers need to proceed, creating lasting impression for companies, colleges, and organizations.
The Framework we use is the 5 Step Octalysis Design Framework. That is the framework I take advantage of to create designs for Fortune corporations, they usually pay a premium of $150,000 to $250,000 per venture.
Step 1: Technique Dashboard
Outline enterprise targets, participant sorts, desired actions, and success metrics. This ensures the design aligns with organizational targets and consumer motivations.
Step 2: Brainstorming
Generate as many gamification concepts as attainable utilizing the 8 Core Drives. At this stage, creativity issues greater than feasibility.
Step 3: P/E (Energy and Ease) Options
Consider all brainstormed concepts based mostly on their impression (Energy) and feasibility (Ease). This step helps determine high-leverage options that may be carried out successfully.
Step 4: Battleplan Spreadsheet
Manage and prioritize chosen options right into a structured implementation plan. This map options two phases of the consumer journey comparable to Discovery, Onboarding, Scaffolding, and Endgame.
Step 5: Wireframing
Visualize the consumer circulation, mechanics, and expertise by way of wireframes. This step prepares the design for prototyping, testing, and eventual growth.
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