These records, written, pictorial or audio are essential to the process. The facilitator attempts to generate a personal, comfortable, informal ambience, generally urges mutual trust and the avoidance of confusing jargon and acronyms. The facilitator describes the ways in which a road map is used and links the MAPS process, by analogy, to a road map that will provide directions for the student's life. The result of the meeting will be a chart which will guide that direction, so that it becomes important for participants to answer all questions. Answers to this question describe the student's life, particularly focusing on highlights or milestones.
Information is included on medical, educational communication and social issues.
It is often possible for the facilitator to collect much of this information in advance, to avoid spending too much time on the question, requiring only that group members add anything that is missing. Dreams need to be conceived as images of what might be possible. It is not possible to avoid nightmares if they remain un-discussed. Dreams and nightmares are of equal importance to the discussion. Many programs and projects fuel the nightmares rather than the dreams.