Net-Map is an interview-based mapping tool that helps people understand, visualize, discuss, and improve situations in which many different actors influence outcomes. It is an innovative, analogue and accessible approach to achieving results in complex projects where many different interests influence the result. By creating Influence Network Maps, individuals and groups can clarify their own view of a situation, foster discussion, and develop a strategic approach to their networking activities
Social and organizational change often involves diverse actors outside a single hierarchy, making it challenging to coordinate actions through mandates alone. Quantitative Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been widely applied to explore these dynamics, yet Net-Map is a mixed-methods approach that enables participative collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. Net-Map moves beyond understanding network structure to reveal the “how” and “why” behind relationships and engages participants in mapping their networks, discussing opportunities and challenges, and working toward a shared vision.
Net-Map has increasingly been adopted by practitioners in action research, communication strategy, advocacy, political networks, social movements, program implementation, personal development, project management, organization learning, and change management. For instance, it has been employed for strategizing government reforms in Zimbabwe, improving business relationships between fortune 500 companies, supporting personal transformation through network coaching or empowering grassroots political change movements.
• A hands-on workshop:
During the workshop, participants will be introduced to the Net-Map process and will practice drawing a multiplex network while also identifying perceived levels of influence of actors. Participants will indicate the actors’ goals and have an in-depth discussion about the situation. This workshop will help users to answer questions such as: Do you need to strengthen the links to an influential potential supporter (high influence, same goals)? Do you have to be aware of an influential actor who doesn’t share your goals? Can increased networking help empower your dis-empowered beneficiaries?
By creating Influence Network Maps, individuals and groups can clarify their own view of a situation, foster discussion, and develop a strategic approach to their networking activities. More specifically, Net-Map will help participants to determine :
– what actors are involved in a given network,
– how they are linked,
– how influential they are, and
– what their goals are
You can learn more about the technique here – http://netmap.wordpress.com/about/
• Workshop format
This is a 3-hour workshop; the maximum number of attendees is 20. After a brief introduction to the approach, the participants will map actual or potential cases to experience the use of Net- Map. We will discuss these cases identifying benefits and limitations, feasibility and requirements of this approach.
• Instructors
Amitaksha Nag – As a systems change expert focused on facilitating collective learning in complex systems, he utilizes participatory and group modeling approaches to drive impactful outcomes. He developed the Datamuse Network Analysis tool, which has advanced the online application of Net-Map for network analysis and visualization.
Ana Elia Ramon Hidalgo – Certified Net-Map trainer and currently works as an independent consultant in organizational development. She holds a PhD in Social Networks in Community- Based Natural Resources Management.
