A systems map is a snapshot of a system and its environment at a given time.
Note that 'system' has a specialized meaning here. It is the term used to describe any situation or issue you want to explore. It is what you are interested in investigating and hence is known as the system of interest. A system of interest is separated from its environment by a boundary. Boundaries also exist between components of a system ( or sub-systems).
A system of interest (SoI) is defined by its purpose. The purpose thus represents the general boundary of a system. The components of a systems map are therefore related to each other as if they collectively fulfil that purpose. Examples of a SoI could include an entity like an organization or an activity like planning an intervention.
A systems map shows how themes or elements might be grouped together as components of the specified SoI or as elements in the environment of the SoI. Some components might be grouped together (or bounded) as sub-systems. Single components might themselves be sub-systems.
A systems map derives from the perspective of the person or people constructing it. A systems map thus illustrates boundary judgements.
Systems maps help to identify the themes and elements that you see as being relevant to an issue. Where you draw the boundaries for your SoI is key to deciding at what level to focus upon. For example, is a particular development project an appropriate focus for intervention? It might be more beneficial to focus down a level, examining one aspect of the project, say the budgetary or personnel component. Or conversely, it might be more beneficial to go up at different levels and to focus instead on the policy domain, programme or strategy in which the project is embedded. Perhaps a global focus might be more appropriate than a regional, national, or local focus. Development practice is continually informed by such boundary judgements.
Once a particular level of interest (e.g. level of intervention) is decided upon, systems mapping can prompt investigation into the following types of boundary judgement or questions.
In addition, systems maps can be used to analyse existing systems of interest. They can:
In brief systems mapping can be used to:
Note that lines and arrows are not used within systems maps.
In drawing a systems map the main steps are as follows.
Use words within appropriate boundaries to name
Don't worry if it takes several iterations through each step before you are happy with your diagram, or even if it takes several versions of the diagram. Each time you draw or redraw the diagram helps to clarify or refocus your thinking about the situation or issue you are investigating.
Watch the animated tutorial (click on ‘View’ below) to see how I built up my systems map of the WWP. If you are still a bit unsure about what a systems map is you might like to view the optional animation, What is a systems map?, before viewing the WWP example.
Click on systems map to see the description of the animated tutorial.
OpenLearn - Diagramming for development 1 - Bounding realities Except for third party materials and otherwise, this content is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence, full copyright detail can be found in the acknowledgements section. Please see full copyright statement for details.