Revisiting Your Map
One benefit of the work you are doing with this tool is that it both assesses a problem or challenge and provides immediate actionability. You can apply what you create right away, but can also return to your map if your directive changes. Your map will have many loops, so you can go deeper on one at first and move to another later. You can refer to your map when seeking new partners, new ways to describe your work, and new ways to think about the bigger picture.
When to Stop
First pause, remember that this is about asking why until you have a broad enough picture of the contributing factors to an outcome to see systems and structures at play, and better understand context. No two maps will look the same, and you may never really be done. Continue to add to your map and edit as you need for team discussions and intervention design. When your map begins to show you a new partner, new foundational question, and or new opportunity for action, stop. Review some suggested next steps, and remember you can always come back to your map, your team, and your systems thinking approach for more guidance.
How to Read Your Map
First, take a moment to look at the full map, probably made up of several loops. Your loops will likely include some individual factors from your earliest 'why' questions. There should also be loops in your map that are not about individual choices and behaviors. This is where you should focus and start to consider next steps. Are there organizations you have not considered before represented in the map? Who are the decision makers in these broader loops? These may represent new partners. Are there other fields and industries present in the map? Can you see the impact of other systems on the outcome you started with? These may represent new funding streams and courses of action. Ways to explore these options appear in the Now What section of this tool.
Conceptual Questions
So what do the symbols tell me?
The difference between reinforcing and balancing loops is important. Reinforcing loops amplify change, and could go on exponentially with variables increasing or decreasing over time without a visible end. This may indicate an openness to change within the system you are mapping. Balancing loops resist change and seek equilibrium and stability. So rather than exponential increase or decrease, balancing loops provide a check, and may ultimately signify a system that will similarly resist change.
What if I think two things might move in the same and opposite direction?
If you think there may be examples of two things moving in the same direction in one setting, and the opposite in another, plot the conditions as well. Add them to your loop and draw the arrows based on the different scenarios you are thinking of.
Technical Problems
Help, I'm not sure which direction the arrows go in
1. Say to yourself, as this changes, that changes/stays the same. This is the start of the arrow, that is the arrow head.
2.If there is also a relationship in the other direction, or from that to this, draw another arrow in the other direction.
Getting Unstuck
1. Ask why until you can't anymore - why does x increase? Why does y get worse? Why does z continue?
2. If you feel like you cannot ask why anymore, it is ok to stop
3. Phone a friend. Remember that this works best in groups to be sure you hear multiple ideas on what might be contributing to the issue you are examining.
4. Remember to close all loops. If you have an open loop, it may need another variable to help you finish the relationship.
Tips and Tricks
Deepening the Conversation
To ensure you are getting to the root and understanding the systems at play, do not just ask why about the original problem you are mapping. Ask why for each of the contributing factors and causes you identify. This will help to create and close more loops and also help you to fill out the picture you are trying to understand.
Where do I go from here?
Now it is time to think about what your unique map tells you. Learn to read your map's details below.
Balancing Loops
This is a B inside a counterclockwise open circle - B is for balancing, and indicates the loop has more connections that move in the opposite direction than in the same, ie, if a full loop has 3 '-' symbols or 'Os', and 2 '+' symbols or 'Ss', it is a balancing loop.
Reinforcing Loops
This is an R inside a clockwise open circle - R is for reinforcing, and indicates the loop has more connections that move in the same direction than in the opposite, ie, if a full loop has 3 '+' symbols or 'Ss', and 2 '-' symbols or 'Os', it is a reinforcing loop.
Ss and Os
S 'Same' - The two variables move in the same direction, or as one increases, the other increases
O 'Opposite' - The two variables move in opposite directions, or as one increases, the other decreases
(+) and (-)
+ The two variables move in the same direction, or as one increases, the other increases
- The two variables move in opposite directions, or as one increases, the other decreases
Common Symbols and What They Mean
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