Books:
Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A. (2022). Systems Mapping: How to build and use causal models of systems. Palgrave. Available open access at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-01919-7
- Provides a practical and in-depth discussion of causal systems mapping methods
- Provides guidance on running systems mapping workshops and using different types of data and evidence.
- Orientates readers to the systems mapping landscape and explores how we can compare, choose, and combine methods.
- This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access.
The Participatory Systems Mapping Toolkit:
Penn, A., & Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2019). Participatory Systems Mapping: a practical guide. CECAN report. Available at www.cecan.ac.uk/resources
- A detailed description of how to run Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) workshops and map construction, focussed on ‘within-workshop’ issues. (Note that we usually now work with multiple focal factors as described in PSM chapter in the book referenced above)
Penn, A., & Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2022). How to Design a Participatory Systems Mapping Process. CECAN report. Available at www.cecan.ac.uk/resources
- This document explains how to design a flexible PSM process, with a focus on stakeholder involvement, bespoke process design and iterative analysis for better decision-making. Focusses on the whole research design, as opposed to individual workshops.
Tools:
Participatory System Mapper (PRSM)
- The Participatory System Mapper (PRSM) is a free, open-source and secure tool for mind-mapping and system visualisation.
Journal Articles:
Penn, A.S. et al. (2022). Adopting a Whole Systems Approach to Transport Decarbonisation, Air Quality and Health: An Online Participatory Systems Mapping Case Study in the UK. Atmosphere 13(3), 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030492
- Examines using PSM with diverse stakeholders to explore the complex links between mobility, human health, and the environment and examines implications of current transport decarbonisation policy. The paper suggests integrating PSM with empirical data to support more effective transport policy design and evaluation. Contains a detailed discussion of the challenges of online workshops.
Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A. (2021). Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluation. Evaluation 27(1), 57-79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389020976153
- Presents the use of PSM in two real-world energy policy evaluation contexts and considers how this method can be applied more widely in evaluation.
Wilkinson, H. et al. (2021). Building a systems-based Theory of Change using Participatory Systems Mapping. Evaluation 27(1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389020980493
- Presents a methodology for building genuinely holistic, complexity-appropriate, system-based Theory of Change diagrams, using PSM as a starting point.
Wu, J. S., Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Font, X. (2021). Participatory complexity in tourism policy: Understanding sustainability programmes with participatory systems mapping. Annals of Tourism Research 90(103269). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103269
- Reflects on using PSM with stakeholders in Barcelona to support the design of an evaluation of an existing sustainability programme. The paper explores how a complex systems approach, implemented via PSM, can provide a more holistic understanding of the contexts and interactions of tourism policy.
CECAN case study Evaluation Policy and Practice Note (EPPN) for policy analysts and evaluators:
Barbrook-Johnson, P., Shaw, B., & Penn, A. (2021). Mapping complex policy landscapes: The example of ‘Mobility as a Service’. CECAN EPPN No. 18. Available at: https://www.cecan.ac.uk/resources
- This EPPN presents work done as part of a CECAN case study with the UK government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a cross-department unit set up by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2020). Participatory Systems Mapping in action – supporting the evaluation of the Renewable Heat Incentive. CECAN EPPN No. 17. Available at: https://www.cecan.ac.uk/resources
- In this case study, CECAN, BEIS and CAG Consultants applied CECAN’s approach to PSM to support the evaluation of the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2019). Negotiating complexity in evaluation planning: A participatory systems map of the energy trilemma. CECAN EPPN No. 12. Available at: https://www.cecan.ac.uk/resources
- The large number of programmes and policies at play in the ‘energy trilemma’ (i.e. the interaction in the energy system between sustainability and emissions, affordability and prices, and security of supply) has led to a crowded policy landscape with potential for complementary but also conflicting aims. In this case study, CECAN and BEIS built a richer understanding of this complex area, by developing a participatory systems map of the energy trilemma.
Reports:
Bromwich, B., Penn, A., Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Knightbridge, J. (2020). Systems analysis for water resources: Final report. Defra report. http://randd.defra.gov.uk/ (search for WT15121)
- This project used PSM to map two catchments in terms of factors which influence the water system. Mapping was undertaken with stakeholders from the public, private and tertiary sector. The maps were then analysed to identify factors of high influence, potential levers for policy interventions, trade-offs and co-benefits.
Videos:
Penn, A., Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Brand, P. (2022). BOOK LAUNCH: Systems Mapping: how to build and use causal models of systems. CECAN. Available at: https://youtu.be/-pkpv4TsK0A
- Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson and Dr. Alexandra Penn introduce their book, followed by presentations from systems mapping experts, researchers, and practitioners sharing how they use systems mapping in their work.
Penn, A., & Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2021). CECAN Webinar: Participatory Systems Mapping for Policy Evaluation. CECAN. Available at: https://youtu.be/L_o2l2nq6QI
- Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson and Dr. Alexandra Penn presented their recent paper in Evaluation on the role PSM can play in policy evaluation. They also gave a sneak-peek of their forthcoming book on causal systems mapping, considering a range of related systems mapping methods and presenting some tentative advice on getting started with these methods.
Bromwich, B. (2021). CECAN Webinar: Developing Systems Approaches in the Water Sector. CECAN. Available at: https://youtu.be/k1spA2TNVTI
- Brendan Bromwich (Principal Engineer, Asset Management and Investment Planning, Mott MacDonald) reviews the application of PSM and Plural Rationality in practical system challenges in water and environment.
Penn, A., & Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2019). Researching complex systems using participatory systems mapping. Sage Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526496133
- Dr. Alexandra Penn and Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson discuss their research of complex systems using PSM, including what complexity is and why they are studying it; benefits and challenges of using this method; what PSM is and looks like in practice; the processes, tools and software used; applications for policy makers; and what has been learned about PSM and complexity.
Blogs:
Barbrook-Johnson, P. (2022). It’s time for the UK government to embrace systems mapping. Oxford Smith School. https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/its-time-uk-government-embrace-systems-mapping
- This blog calls for the UK government to make systems mapping a key part of policy-making. It explains how mapping out complex systems visually can help teams understand problems better, build consensus, and improve decision-making. Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson highlights the benefits of systems mapping, especially in addressing big challenges like climate change. It’s flexible, useful at every policy stage, and helps break down silos in government work.