Causal Loop Maps

Getting to know the tool

What Causal Loop Maps are and can do

Causal Loop Maps are a visual depiction of relationships. They can make clear how two or more things change in relation to each other. They are different from other root cause tools or cause and effect tools in that they can look at multiple parts of an issue at once. A map is often made up of several loops, and each loop tells the story of how a single system or entity interaction behaves. The loops can tell you whether a system - the inner workings of a particular issue and how they interact - will resist or be open to change. This can help you decide on what is needed to take action.

Why Causal Loop Maps

Causal Loop Maps are a good tool for systems thinking. They are used in multiple fields. In a Public Health application, they allow users to create a visual that lists the multiple systems that are acting upon a given public health problem. The maps you create will help you better define a problem and broaden your thinking about potential solutions. The maps will help you understand causes closer to the root of an issue, while also helping you understand cause and effect among the other topics you include. With familiarity and practice, you will be able to draft maps quickly and make a routine of the systems thinking they encourage.

What they are not and cannot do

Causal loop maps are not a solution. You will not create one and have the answers for how to 'fix' a problem or know the exact right next move. The maps are a single tool that can help shed light on the scope of an issue, giving the user a clearer understanding of multiple actors and contributing factors. Causal loop maps cannot tell you what to do next, they can help you decide what action is possible as you think about your own setting and context. You know your partners and environment best, the map will simply help you fill in that picture.

Why this tool

Knowing that Causal Loop Maps are not a solution on their own, this tool seeks to give users a reason to try causal loop mapping, the instructions on how to create one, and also next steps with resources and tools to support action. This tool aims to outline a process from idea to follow through. This tool hopes to help you identify the systems at play in a particular public health issue, and with the What Now resources, understand ways to create change rather than simply navigate the systems as they currently exist.

How to create your own CLM

Learn to build your own Causal Loop Map to visualize and better understand the complex interactions driving public health challenges.

01

Pick a variable or topic - health outcome, problem, etc.

Consideration: Variable here just means it must change over time - rates, severity, etc.

02

List out all the causes or contributing factors you can think of for that issue

Considerations: These must also be variable, or changing over time - if it is not, rewrite it so it is, eg change 'housing' to housing insecurity or number of affordable units, etc.
Think about the cause - does the effect happen right away? If there might be something happening in between, list that as well

03

Plot all of your topics on a blank paper

Considerations: All of the causes you identify can connect to the original topic, but they should also connect to each other as appropriate
You may wish to list all topics and variables first then map them, or to map them one at a time. Either method will work.

04

Identify the relationships between two variables at a time, and draw an arrow

Consideration: If there is a dual direction relationship, that is, the two topics impact each other, draw a second arrow from variable B to A

05

Determine if the two topics you are relating vary in the same direction, and mark it accordingly

Considerations: As one increases, does the other increase? If so, this gets a (+) or (S) symbol meaning they move in the same direction
if as one increases the other decreases, it gets a (-) or (O) symbol meaning they move in the opposite direction

06

Continue to ask why until you have exhausted the issue

Considerations: This does not need to be finished or perfect
Remember to identify causes for all of the topics on your map, not just the first one

07

Revise and Refine

Considerations: You can always add more variables, change some, remove others
If you make changes, ensure your arrows and symbols remain true
Stop when you have identified new partners, content, opportunities, etc.

08

Count the number of S/+ and O/- in a loop

Considerations: If there are more Ss, denote with an R, if there are more Os, denote with a B
R is for reinforcing, exponential movement in one direction and goes inside a clockwise open arrow circle
B is for balancing, and moves toward equilibrium, with the B going inside a counterclockwise open arrow circle
Be sure all of your loops are closed, and no topics or variables are floating without arrows

Tip for taking the first step

Start small! Whether you list causes first or jump right to mapping, pick one area to focus on first. Pick 1 variable and 1 cause, and draw an arrow to get comfortable. Repeat this as necessary. Once you feel familiar enough, try listing 3 factors related to one variable and drawing those arrows back to the variable you started with. This is likely enough to create one loop. Repeat this step for multiple variables, and you will soon see a full map start to form.

Troubleshooting

Getting Started

Setting your team up for success

Suggested starting variables

You can select a variable that fits in any of many public health topic areas. Some suggestions are below. If you are not sure about one you have in mind, try it!
Health outcomes:
Asthma - pediatric, adult, both
Diabetes rates

Hypertension

COVID - related illness
Injury:
Work-related injury

Firearm injury

Falls
Mental Health and Behavioral Outcomes:

Depression

Anxiety

Substance Use Disorder

Elevate your public health strategy by turning complex systems thinking into a sustainable daily practice designed for consistent impact.