What Questions Do you Have?
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Who and What is Project Nomad?
Project Nomad is a team of volunteer Airmen and Guardians that help organizations of all sizes diagnose their workplace culture using design thinking workshops and human-centered analytics to map the organization’s shared values, behaviors, processes, and assumptions. We call this human-centered form of systems thinking Culture Mapping
What is Culture Mapping?
Culture Mapping is a form of Human-Centered Systems Thinking because of its focus on understanding and improving an organization’s shared values, behaviors, processes, and assumptions through the use of design thinking workshops and human-centered analysis.
Is Culture Mapping like the DEOCS?
The Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) is designed to measure an organization’s climate by asking volunteer participants hundreds of survey questions. Unlike the DEOCS, Culture Mapping delivers a much deeper level of insights through interpersonal interactions in our design thinking workshops with reporting that allows leaders to see where within their organization both the positive and negative cultural attributes reside. This greater level of specificity allows for the right developmental strategies to be applied to the right areas within the organization.
Why not just use Pulse or Micro Surveys?
Pulse Surveys and Micro Surveys (same thing just different names) are much more effective at measuring and tracking an organization’s culture than the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS) and are even a part of the services packages offered by Project Nomad for tracking workplace culture in-between Culture Mapping cycles. However, Pulse Surveys and Micro Surveys alone are not able to provide the high level of insights yielded by the Culture Mapping.
My team does not have any problems, is there sill value in Culture Mapping?
Yes, Culture Mapping is an effective process for exposing organizational blind-spots and helping high-performing teams reach even greater heights.
Is Culture Mapping just another quality of life fad?
No, we’ve been using Culture Mapping since 2020 within organizations of all sizes across the Department of the Air Force to become more operationally effective–quality of life improvements are just one of the awesome byproducts of our methodologies.
How much does Culture Mapping cost?
Nothing. If you are a Air or Space Force unit or non-profit organization then our services are free.
How does Project Nomad earn revenue?
We don’t. We are passionate about our vision and believe in helping organizations build the best workplace culture for every Airman and Guardian. The status quo (DEOCS and other survey-based tools) are ineffective at driving change and “culture” has become just another abstract buzzword that leads to inaction. Join our rebel movement to take the Department of the Air Force into the future.
How do I request a Culture Map for my organization?
Email us at projectnomadculture@gmail.com
What rank or position do I need to be to request a Culture Map?
There are no rank requirements to request our services. If you do not have the authority to implement Culture Mapping within your organization or team then we can help with your pitch to leadership.
How can I get involved with Project Nomad?
If you’ve already run a Culture Mapping session within your organization or are just looking to help further our cause of cultivating the best workplace culture for every Airmen and Guardian then email us at projectnomadculture@gmail.com
Culture Mapping Training Questions
How long is the Culture Mapping Facilitator training?
Culture Mapping Facilitation training is generally done virtually and lasts 2-hours. Our processes evolve all the time so feel free to request refresher training.
Is the Culture Mapping Facilitation training in-person or virtual?
Generally, the 2-hour Culture Mapping Facilitation training is done virtually; however, we have Nomads across the Department of the Air Force and may offer in-person training at your location.
Will I earn a certification after completing the facilitation training?
Not yet. Eventually, we will offer tiered Project Nomad Culture Mapping certifications to individuals who complete our training and facilitate Culture Mapping sessions.
Other than facilitation training, what other training does Project Nomad offer?
Project Nomad offers a 3-hour “Airmen Roles in Unit Culture” workshop that can be taught in-person, virtually, or downloaded from our website. Likewise, check-out articles published by Project Nomad on our website or on our LinkedIn and Facebook pages.
Facilitation Questions
How many participants per Culture Mapping session?
We recommend between 3-6 participants per Culture Mapping session, but no more than 10.
How long are the Culture Mapping sessions?
Culture mapping sessions last approximately 2-hours.
What do I need to bring to my Culture Mapping session?
Yourself and your smartphone
Is Culture Mapping 100% anonymous?
The initial Culture Mapping survey and the final Culture Map Report are 100% anonymous. However, the participants in the in-person Culture Mapping session will hear what each other have to say, and that’s a good thing. Sessions are kept small to minimalize groupthink and maximize participation which have consistently yielded deeper and more actionable insights.