Visualizing Complexity: The Power of System Mapping to Look Internally

System mapping is an effective tool that can enable organizations to visualize and understand a complex web of relationships and interactions within their community or internal work. It possesses a myriad of benefits, from creating a robust resource bank of valuable environmental insights to building a holistic perspective on a scope of projects and possibilities. Not only can organizations use system mapping to better comprehend their own work or world around them, but it enhances and even facilitates deeper understanding and communication amongst its stakeholders.

This year we’ve begun using a new tool for creating visual system maps, called Kumu. It is a platform with a lot of exciting possibilities. Allowing users to develop interactive maps that illustrate connections and dependencies within a system, you can customize, import, and easily analyze data to identify new relationships and patterns.

Kumu provides a whole new level to mapping the strategic decision-making and problem-solving process.

While we have started to incorporate Kumu system maps into some of our client reporting and environmental scans, such as The Richmond Region Immigrant & Refugee Vision, we have also used it to study our work internally.  Most recently, in reflection of last year’s busy consulting landscape at The Spark Mill, we decided to map our 2023 client pool through the various project types we work with, retelling an expansive collection of data with a more digestible, visual system map.

Below you can explore and interact with our map of 2023 clients. You will see the different types of projects that our clients received consulting help in, from strategic planning and hiring, to organizational development, capacity building, and more. By clicking on the yellow pods, signifying induvial clients, you can find out the details of where they are located, what their sector is, and which of our consultants lead their project.

By creating this map to look internally, we can begin to see patterns, such as where the majority of our clients seek work, where project types may be underutilized, and where we can predict growth or areas to expand for coming years. We can also provide a community-facing picture with this map, to show prospective clients what we offer or where similar client sectors may have sought guidance in the past. More importantly, it’s a way to foster a transparent culture of work, to stir conversations through data visualizations and ask new questions.

Here are 3 takeaways organizations can use for seeking the internal benefits of system mapping:

1.      Comprehensive understanding of complex processes, workflows, projects, and more.

2.     Enhanced communication and collaboration both internally and client-facing.

3.     Continuous monitoring and adaptation through new visualized thoughts and ideas.