What’s the advantage in using COOLMaps over other process mapping programs?

Instant understanding, complete horizontal and vertical views, extreme navigational ease, enormous content, designed for management and all staff levels.

What are the key features of COOLMaps?

• Presentation quality (wide range of colors, formats, designs, templates)
• Unlimited ability for hyperlinkng, attachments
• Substantial reporting capability
• Complete security and versioning control
• Built in communication module
• Compatible with COSO and Basel II
• Robust search engine
• Simple navigation tools
• Wizard driven creation tools

How long have COOLMaps been in use?  

IMAG introduced COOLMaps in 2002.  They have been successfully used in over 50 consulting engagements for the largest global financial institutions. Click here for sample of COOLMaps projects.

Who prepares the COOLMaps?

When IMAG is engaged in a consulting assignment, all of the COOLMaps are prepared by IMAG’s staff.

Can we create our own COOLMaps?

COOLMaps Software is available on a license basis.  Contact us for details.

We already utilize process maps.  How does IMAG use those maps?

COOLMaps empowers the process maps you already have.  While most companies already have process maps, they are generally focused on narrow issues such as performance metrics and operational risks and are used by a very narrow audience.  Many times, important information is “locked” within these maps.  By using our top-down analysis, COOLMaps  unlock these process maps and provide a gateway to the utilization of the information.  In this way, the valuable information and metrics can be understood and utilized within larger segments and audiences within the company.

How do we know that COOLMaps actually reflect our Process?

IMAG utilizes a detailed methodology including a skilled interview and client verification process to ensure that the COOLMaps accurately represent True Process.

Is the production of COOLMaps time intensive?

No. Most clients see the first set of COOLMaps within a matter of weeks. IMAG’s consulting staff are both process and subject matter experts in the fields in which we develop COOLMaps.  This greatly shortens the production process.  The communication modules built into the COOLMaps speeds the verification process. 

How are COOLMaps updated and maintained?

IMAG updates COOLMaps at regular intervals or when events/projects are planned which result in process related changes.  Clients who license COOLMaps software update COOLMaps on their own.

COOLMaps reflect only current process?  Can we use them for before- and after-modeling and scenario testing?

COOLMaps are ideal tools to demonstrate modeling, “what if” and future-state scenarios.  They also show variance against best practices and industry standards. They provide useful templates against which organizations can develop internally created model policies, procedures and controls for use across whole areas.  Their internal communication modules combined with the highly visual display makes them ideal for achieving understanding across geographic and cultural boundaries.  

Have COOLMaps been used by auditors and regulatory examiners?

COOLMaps have been welcomed by auditors and regulatory examiners as indications that management teams understand and control their complete process environment and can identify risks and vulnerabilities exactly where they reside. 

What’s is the real payback for using COOLMaps?

It’s all in risk/reward.  On the risk side, COOLMaps give management an unsurpassed ability to detect risk in current process, integrate controls in a seamless manner and visualize future process which results from the implementation of new strategies and products.  Pro-active risk management can occur right from the start.  On the reward side, the COOLMaps bring clarity and control and the ability of staff to execute and deliver with speed and flexibility. 

No other mapping tool is designed with these specific risk/reward deliverables in mind.