Why visual dataflow mapping is becoming a must-have during times of change.
Most organizations have some kind of inventory of their systems. You might know where your CUI lives, what software your teams use, and who has access to what. But when it comes time to actually change something like integrate systems, restructure teams, or offboard key staff, that list only gets you so far.
Because knowing what is in place doesn’t always tell you how it’s being used. That’s where visual dataflow mapping comes in. And for teams navigating a merger, acquisition, or major transition, it’s becoming a critical part of doing business clearly and securely.
You can’t protect or integrate what you can’t see
In one recent engagement, an organization came to us preparing for both an acquisition and the retirement of a key staff member. They had systems in place. Secure ones, too. But no one had a full view of how sensitive data was actually flowing across teams, tools, and day-to-day work. Emails were carrying key business details. Shared drives were being used in different ways across departments. Even the two organizations involved in the merger had completely different ways of doing the same function. Nothing was wrong exactly. But without a clear map, there was no way to move forward with confidence.
That’s what made this work so important. It wasn’t about compliance alone. It was about understanding how the business actually ran and how to move it forward without missing something critical.
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This is more than a diagram. It’s a decision-making tool.
Our approach isn’t just to document systems and draw lines between them. We start by talking to people. What does your day look like? What tools are you in? How do you actually share and store the things that matter?
Then we build a visual map that reflects the reality of how data flows across users, systems, and business functions. These maps are built in Microsoft Visio Professional and are fully interactive. They can be updated, expanded, and used as a reference long after the project ends. For this client, that map became essential. It helped leadership define their CUI scope, evaluate risks, and understand what needed to change before and after the acquisition. It also helped teams reassign responsibilities and move forward without losing continuity.
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What it looks like in practice
The results go beyond documentation. Teams come away with:
- Clarity across departments
Visual flow diagrams that show how sensitive and operational data moves through your environment - Real scope definition
A clear view of where CUI and FCI live, supporting audit readiness and future assessments - Smarter planning for change
Tools to guide system alignment, restructure roles, and offboard staff without missing key workflows - Confidence during transition
A reference point to make informed decisions with real-time insights and shared understanding
Sound familiar?
If you’re preparing for a merger or acquisition, trying to understand your CUI boundaries, or worried about losing institutional knowledge when someone retires. This kind of clarity isn’t optional anymore. Visual dataflow mapping helps you see how your business really works so you can protect it, scale it, and plan for what’s next.
Want to talk about whether this makes sense for your environment? Let’s figure it out together.