“What is a systems map?” animated tutorial

This tutorial contains text and circles, also described as blobs. In this description the term “label” refers to text in the diagram, and the term “phrase” refers to text in the audio description or transcript. 

Page	Transcript	Description	
Page 1	Like other systems diagram types, systems maps are used as thinking tools. They can also be used as communication tools. Systems maps have a very simple form, consisting of blobs and words, and they’re used to show the structure of a system of interest at a point in time. They show this structure as a hierarchy of groupings.	Labels forming a list on the page appear: “A thinking tool”, “A communication tool”, “Formed of blobs and words”, “Show the structure of a system of interest” and “As a heirarchy of groupings”
	
Page 2	If I regard this session as a system for telling you about systems maps, then I might use a systems map to plan the session, and also to show you the structure of what I’m going to cover.	From the label “A thinking tool” an arrow appears, pointing to a label “to reflect, understand and plan”.
From the label “A communication tool” an arrow appears, pointing to a label “to show, describe and guide”.	
Page 3	Here’s the boundary of the system - in this case this session on systems maps. Inside the boundary will be the things I’m going to cover.	A large blob shape appears over the left and central areas of the page. This has a label inside “a system for telling you about systems maps”. Inside the shape a circled label appears: “things I’m going to cover”.	
Page 4	But my thinking about the system is likely to include other things too, like the way I’m going to cover it, the examples and ideas I have to draw on, the way I ask you to interact with the session, and how I’m going to construct it. These might all be thought of as sub-systems of my system of interest.	Inside the shape, further circled labels appear: “the way I’m going to cover it”, “examples and ideas”, “types of interaction” and “how I’m going to construct it”. 	
Page 5	Outside the boundary will be things that are not part of the system. This might include things I’m not going to cover. For example, I’m not going to talk about the history of systems maps, or describe similar forms such as Venn diagrams; and I’m not going to discuss the process of drawing a systems map as this is covered in a later session.	Another large blob shape appears in the bottom right of the page. This shape is labelled “things I’m not going to cover”. Inside the shape circled labels appear: “history of systems maps”, “Venn diagrams” and “the process of drawing a systems map”.	
Page 6	In a systems map, the region beyond the boundary is known as the environment of the system. Components in the environment are not part of the system, but they may influence it, so it can be important to consider them. For example, your prior knowledge of systems maps - or of similar diagram forms, is likely to influence how you respond to this session.	In all the area outside the first large blob, the label “environment” is shown in red multiple times, then fades.
At the phrase “Components in the environment…” the second blob shape is highlighted. 
At the phrase “For example, your prior knowledge…” a circled label “your own prior knowledge” appears in the space outside both large blob shapes.	
Page 7	Now the bit I want to focus on is this sub-system, so I’m going to go down a level in my hierarchy of groupings. If I were working on paper, this would mean starting a new sheet.	The circled label “things I’m going to cover” in the first large shape is highlighted and grows to fill the page. All other parts of the previous diagram disappear.	
Page 8	In this session I want to talk about the purpose of systems maps - what they do, why this is useful, and when it is useful.	Inside this new large circle, a smaller circle appears with the label “purpose of systems maps”. Inside this circle three smaller circles appear, with the labels “what”, “why” and “when”.	
Page 9	I want to cover their form, and what makes a good systems map.	Two further circles appear inside the largest circle, labelled “the form of systems maps” and “what makes a good systems map?”.	
Page 10	And I want to draw your attention to a number of key systems concepts associated with systems maps.	Another circle appears inside the largest circle, labelled “key systems concepts associated with systems maps”.	
Page 11	This makes me realise that I’ve got too much to cover in one session, and I’ll need to cover some of it in a second session.	No change to the diagram.	
Page 12	I said at the start that systems maps show the structure of a system of interest at a point in time. And that they show this structure as a hierarchy of groupings. You’ve seen how these groupings are shown, and just now you saw me move down a level in the hierarchy of groupings from the top level of my system, to look in more detail at a sub-system. In the next session you’ll be able to move up and down the levels of this hierarchy, and click on the blobs that require further explanation.	At the phrase “from the top level of my system, to look in more detail…” all the labels in the diagram change. The largest circle is now labelled “level 2”, the circles within it are labelled “level 3” and the smaller circles inside one of the level 3 circles are labelled “level 4”.	
Page 13	But what exactly is meant by structure? You can use a systems map to model an existing explicit structure - for example if you were trying to understand an existing hierarchy within a complex organisation. But a more powerful way of using systems maps is to create a new mental model, one that names and groups components according to the purpose you have in mind - not just components that are ‘out there’ and that anyone can see, but any type of thing that you think it’s important to consider.	At the phrase “…is to create a new mental model…” the previous labels return.

At the phrase “…one that names and groups components according to the purpose you have in mind…” the largest circle shrinks and the previous diagram (from page 7), with two large blobs reappears.	
Page 14	This enables you to structure your thinking about the system, and to discuss it with others. It’s like a map of the system. Systems maps show only structure, so once you start thinking about the processes that occur in this territory - about relationships, sequence, influence, cause and effect - then you need to go on to a different diagram type which shows connections between these components.	No change to the diagram.