1. www.newtactics.org
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics in Human Rights Project

2. More than 2,000 years ago, Sun Tzu—
(the Art of War) taught:
Strategy without tactics is the
slowest route to victory.
Tactics without strategy is the
noise before defeat.
• Planning without action is futile
• Action without planning can be
fatal
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

3. Why talk about 'strategy' and 'tactics'?
 Strategy defines what is important
to do.
 Tactics embody how to do it.
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

4. From Sun Tzu
—the Art of War
Know Your
Know
Adversary
Yourself
Know the
Terrain
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

5. Tactical Mapping is a way to
better understand your “terrain”
 What is tactical
mapping?
 Why should I
use this tool?
 How do I make
a tactical map?
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

6. What is tactical mapping?
A method to:
 visualize relationships and institutions
(the terrain) sustaining human rights
abuses
 track the nature and potency of tactics
 monitor the implementation of strategy
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

7. Why did we develop the Tactical Map tool?
Because our efforts to combat abuses are often
 uncoordinated
 use relatively few tactics
 affect very narrow parts of the systems
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

8. Tactical mapping helps you to find and
explore:
 Key relationships which need to be
affected.
 Tactics currently at play.
 Key relationships or social groups that
are unaffected by current tactics.
 What allies could be engaged for a
more comprehensive and effective
strategy.
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

9. How do I make a tactical
map
?

10. Resources needed to create a tactical map?
 You don't need any fancy resources to make a tactical
map.
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

11. Tactical map ingredients?
 A center relationship,
 Other relationships and institutions
 Connecting lines
 Tactic targets
1st Level
Torturer
Victim Family Advocate Lawyers
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

12. How do I make a tactical map?
Center relationship:
Determine the relationship you seek to change or disrupt.
Questions to ask yourself to help find this center relationship from an
'issue':
 Are you trying to prevent or stop an abuse?
 What is the barrier of the person in the center of your issue?
Who is in their way?
What is the “smallest level”
of relationship you are
seeking to change?
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

13. How do I make a tactical map?
Relationships and institutions:
 Brainstorm together – think of all the people that are closely connected
to the two people in the center relationship.
 These are people that have 'face-to-face time' with the two in the
center. (Family, friends, boss, coworkers, classmates, etc)
Center relationship
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

14. How do I make a tactical map?
Other relationships and institutions:
 Identify people that may or may not be as closely connected to
the center relationship.
 For example - this level might include national level of actors.
Government
Institutions,
bodies available,
etc.
Education & Judicial
Training System
Systems
Center relationship Victim-related
Family, organizations,
Community of faith,
Professional work, etc.
Associations
Non-Government
business, media,
civil society, religious
bodies
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

15. How do I make a tactical map?
More relationships and institutions:
 Identify international relationships that impact the core that may or
may not have direct contact.
United Nations
International
Committees &
NGOs,
Monitoring
Trade Unions,
Bodies
Religious
organizations,
etc.
Center Relationship International
Economic Bodies
IMF, WB, WTO,
International Regional Bodies
Professional (e.g., EU, ASEAN)
Associations Private business
Foundations, etc
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

16. How do I make a tactical map?
Where do YOU fit in the terrain?
 Put yourself – your organization – on the map.
 Where do you fit? Who are you and your colleagues connected to?
YOU!
Center Relationship
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

17. How do I make a tactical map?
Connecting lines:
 Determine the NATURE of relationships between the different “nodes” by
color-coding lines and arrows.
RED line Power relationship
BLUE line Mutual benefits
GREEN line Exploitive relationship
GREY line Potential relationship
Yellow line Conflict relationship
Light BLUE line --- Tactic target YOU!
Center Relationship
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

18. EXAMPLE
Torturer
Victim Family Advocate Lawyers
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project

19. How do I make a tactical map?
Tactic Targets:
 Identify your targets and brainstorm appropriate tactics to each target.
 (Looking for tactic ideas? Check out our online Tactics Database on
www.newtactics.org)
Tactic 2
Tactic 1 YOU!
Center Relationship
The Center for Victims of Torture—New Tactics Project