Systems mapping F A E E D B C C G H

A systems map indicates the key components of a system and its environment, and their broad inter-relationship at any point in time. Systems maps are useful: In pulling together initial thoughts In clarifying where the boundaries to any system or element of a system lie In working out when any thoughts are a sub-set of any others To help structure any further analysis To communicate ideas about key issues and their relationships within a system Process raw rough circles around key words which describe any system or element of a system These words name each element or system, whilst the circle identifies a boundary to it !se heavy lines to indicate a system "lace elements of that system within its boundary "lace elements outside the system but which are important to its environment outside the boundary #$est% elements of any sub-system inside the boundary of that sub-system &as in subsystem ' Single blobs may still represent sub-systems &as in ( Show overlaps between components &as in )( where there are commonalities. *owever, try to avoid these, and especially comple+ overlaps, as the point of the process is to clarify connections !se the same name only where elements are the same, and different ones otherwise Avoid dividing , partitioning elements &as in - , *(. using overlaps or nested circles in preference where more appropriate

 Si/e of blob can be a useful way of suggesting relative importance, but is not essential. This might need to be made clear to an audience. Influence diagrams
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B A 1 C 3 E 4 2 D 5 F 6

An influence diagram is used to e+plore the key relationships between the key structural elements of a scenario. It gives a framework for the inter-relationships within a group of activities or an organisation. It is useful in: -aining an understanding of these inter-relationships "lanning to make changes which affect these relationships "roviding a pictorial representation of how any one element relates to another A systems map is a snapshot of a scenario at any one point. It can be the starting point for an influence diagram. Outline An outer circle is used to show the boundary to a system A #blob% or circle drawn around an element of the structure &things, people, groups, etc.( shows the boundary of that element An arrow between blobs is used to show how that blob influences another. Arrows do not show information flow, management, time, etc. unless these are the influences intended o not use arrows between the system boundary &outer circle( and elements within it. 0onnect elements within a system to other e+ternal elements where these are relevant 1here two elements influence each other use two arrows. 2nly use a two headed arrow where the mutual influence is identical, and this is very rare, so these are best avoided !se words to label each element &A,',0, etc.(. it is also possible to label arrows where this is helpful &3,4,5, etc.( !se dotted or heavy arrows where this helps to show the strength of an influence and include a key to this when using with others !se distance between blobs to indicate the closeness or remoteness of a relationship

 Try not to confuse different #categories% of influence &money, line management, political influence, etc.( on one diagram unless these are important or obvious. 7ake this clear in some way to others viewing the diagram.

Multiple Cause Diagrams D E F

B A

Purpose A multiple cause diagram can be used: to put together a list of those factors to consider in reflecting on two comparable sets of circumstances over a period of time, i.e. before and after a change to understand what went wrong to find out why something keeps recurring. An influence diagram is a possible starting point for developing a multiple cause diagram. *owever, a multiple cause diagram differs in that the factors identified reflect change factors &values, events, processes( whereas in an influence diagram they represent actors &people, sub-systems( Outline start with the occurrence you want to e+plore only add individual factors &i.e. don%t combine separate factors( make sure you include all factors &i.e. don%t take some factors as #read%( circle different factors if necessary to indicate importance or help with clarity, but do not separate different groupings of factors by circling them, unless8 where separate connecting systems have been identified, through for e+ample an influence diagram, it is intended specifically to e+plore this further It is important to remember that this diagram type, while superficially resembling an influence diagram, is different in that the words at either end of an arrow represent events that may happen or values that may change. In an influence diagram these words represent components of a system e.g. people or sub-systems.

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Sign graph diagrams

+ A

B -

+ +

D E -

+ G

F A sign graph diagram can be drawn from scratch or can be built upon a multiple cause
diagram. They identify and investigate relationships between elements of a scenario. They can help to: identify what drives behaviour in a system through plotting positive and negative feedback loops determine likely implications of changes to the system appraise options for change in terms of the likely effects of each option Process It is important to name the system under scrutiny A boundary to the system can be used but is not essential Start with the #end% of a system, or a key variable you are interested to e+amine The elements of the diagram &A, ', 0, etc.( are the aspects of the system that are open to variation 9 such as cost of8, numbers of8, etc. The connecting lines show the actual variation, or change. The nature of the variation &i.e. increase, decrease, lower, higher, etc.( is illustrated by the plus or minus signs alongside arrows showing the direction of the change. So in the diagram above, more ' leads to more A but more 0 leads to less A Start simple, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics of the system, and then e+pand as needed

If the arrows are all following around a loop &i.e. all clockwise, or all anti-clockwise( this indicates a feedback loop An odd number of minus signs in the loop indicates a negative feedback loop Any other loop is positive

 Thus, '- ---)-0 in the diagram above is a positive loop, even though it has two minus signs in it. ---) is a negative loop, having an odd number &3( of minus signs

Spray diagrams and Mind maps

Sub issue A

<ey Issue

<ey Issue
Sub issue '

Sub issue 0

eveloped by Tony 'u/an, mind maps and spray diagrams look similar but have different functions. Spray diagrams are mainly used for note taking and for e+ploring connections between ideas, i.e. noting down pre-e+isting concepts Mind maps are more useful as a way of recording new concepts, as in getting new ideas down :uite :uickly. 1ith both a relatively unconscious structure emerges rather than being imposed in any way. As such, they show connections in the thought processes of the participant&s(, rather than the #real% connections within a system &unless these are the same8( They are not recommended for situations where very comple+ connections e+ist, or where the connections need to reflect a considered analysis

Process
Start with the key concept or issue to be e+plored in a circle near the centre of the page 0onnect lines to the circle to represent ideas relating to the key issue. Indicate the nature of the idea using a word or short phrase, either at the end of the line or along it ;ines do not indicate any #direction% to the connected ideas The result is a single layer spray 1here other ideas connect with these secondary ideas, it is useful to add these as lines connecting them by drawing a further circle to indicate sub-issues. The result is a

multiple layer spray, which provides a useful way to #rank% concepts as primary or secondary etc. on completion of the map 1here similar ideas from one part of the map connect with those of another part, the connection can be shown by looping them together If a further idea seems important, but does not readily link within the map, create another unconnected map alongside the first, and seek connections when analysing the results.

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