Have you ever looked at a new software program and asked your self where do I get started.  Do you think about your needs and get confused how this software program will solve it.  If so the answer is a feature map.

Feature mapping is the process of taking each need and mapping it to a feature of the software.  As you map each feature you must ask your self

"Is this the only way to solve this problem?"

"What will be the effect of this map?"

List all maps that will solve each need.  List all effects of the mapped feature. Then review them to find which combination is best.