SYSTEMS MAPPING
Seeing the system
What is Systems Mapping?
The number of people and organizations working on transformation to next economies is easily
overwhelming. Handling this scale is key to effective transformations action, since such action requires
dealing with scale and developing relationships. Mapping helps describe relationships, roles and activities of
the people and initiatives. This helps create a shared understanding of what each other is doing, which in
turn, is the basis for developing the collective power of diverse efforts.
Because of mapping’s important in setting strategic next economies strategic action, Bounce Beyond provides access to the diverse mapping approaches through leadership with the Next Economies Work Stream (NEWS) of the Transformations Systems Mapping & Analysis Working Group, and connection to resources such as the Systemic Design Toolkit. If you are interested in participating in NEWS, contact Bounce Beyond Associate Jonny Norton: jnorton@bouncebeyond.global.
There are many types of mapping. Key to identifying the appropriate mapping method are the stage of
development of a change initiative or transformations system, and the question being asked. Some of this is
explained in the Table below:
| Method | Map Focus | Core Output | Software/Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actor / Actant Mapping | Actor discovery and stakeholders | - | Systemic Design Toolkit |
| Concept Mapping | Concepts | Map relationship between ideas | cMap IHMI |
| Ecosystem Mapping | Ecosystems | Mapping relationships between a variety of options such as organizations, activities and ideas. | SumApp, 7Vortex |
| Giggamapping | Landscapes | Map intersectional activities in a particular place | Systems-Oriented Design |
| Journey Mapping | Pathways and Touchpoints | Map steps in service provision or user experience from initial state to realizing an outcome | Service Innovation Handbook |
| Participatory Narrative Inquiry | Stories, Narrative Analysis | Map individual beliefs and experience in terms of relative strength | SenseMaker (Snowden), NarraFirma (Kurtz) |
| Social Network Analysis | Relationship Structure | Map individuals’/ organizations’ relationships | Kumu |
| Societal Change System Mapping | Change Initiatives | Map issue change system in terms of key sub-systems and functions | Matrix of issues by change systems functions |
| Synthesis Mapping | Complex social systems | Multiple knowledge perspectives about social systems to illustrate the dilemmas and challenges within a complex system scenario | Jones OCADU |
| System Dynamics | System Forces | Map stocks and flows with organizations and activities | Kumu |
| Systemic Design | Multiple tools in 7-stage methodology | System framing, experience, system modelling, value, interventions, transition | Systemic Design Toolkit |
| Theories of Change | Strategic Clarity, Change strategies | Map integrating change theories within the issue arena | TOCO Software |
| Three Horizons | Movement from current to desired reality | Definition of necessary changes and activities necessary to realize desired future | |
| Value Network Analysis | Value Creation | Map relationship between roles and exchanges | Kumu |
| Web Crawl | Virtual Reality | Map virtual relationships and list websites |
