As with other PCRA activities, participatory mapping helps to point out spatial details and new information on features whose conditions vary over space or whose locations vary over time. Maps are also important visual media, allowing more effective communication between the stakeholders involved in CRM. They often help when verbal communication is constrained by differences in language, background, education and worldview. Maps are most useful when they can be compared to maps of other areas and to maps of different scales.

When the format of maps made through PCRA is consistent, such comparisons can show important similarities and differences between different management areas. Another advantage of a consistent or standardized mapping format is that maps of small areas, e.g. sitios (villages), can be combined or joined together to produce maps of a larger management area, such as an entire bay. For planning, education and other purposes, it is often useful to produce a large map of the management area on a signboard or poster.

The CW can conduct mapping activities either with an individual or a group. At this stage, the local ways of referring to resources should already be known to the CW.