Systems mapping is a type of modeling that is designed to reveal the underlying interrelationships and structure of a complex system. System maps are powerful visualization tools that can help change agents describe and diagnose the current state of a given system; understand how system structure creates the observable outcomes; create a shared vision of the system; gain consensus about the problems and identify opportunities.
This 60-min session will walk you through the tools needed to start to build your own systems maps. The session will include:
- A high-level overview of the value and relevance of mapping. Why should we use systems mapping and in what way can it better enable collaboration within groups.
- We then learn the basics of mapping and causal loops; giga mapping, feedback loops, causal diagrams, archetypes, etc.
- We will then look at some examples of maps, a map of the dynamics to deforestation in the Amazon, landfill waste in Mumbai, the Covid pandemic, the poverty trap, etc.
- Starting an exercise to build our own map collectively. We will work on our Miro board to take a specific case study for members to collectively map the dynamics of a given system.
