Participatory DesignParticipatory EvaluationParticipatory Planning
Interaction map
- Duration
- From 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the size of the system and the depth of the analysis.
- Participants
- From 6 to 20 people, to ensure meaningful interaction and manageable analysis.
- Areas of application
- Gestión organizacional y empresarialPlanificación urbana y ruralSalud y bienestar socialSostenibilidad y medio ambientePolíticas públicas y gobernanzaInnovación y diseñoInvestigación y evaluaciónResolución de conflictosTecnología y entornos digitalesParticipación ciudadana y social
- Participation level
- ColaboraciónEvaluación participativaGeneración de conocimientoIntercambio de perspectivas
- Target audience
- Líderes comunitariosONGs y colectivos socialesEquipos empresarialesFuncionarios públicosDiseñadores creativosInvestigadores
The Interaction map is a participatory activity where participants identify and visualize the relationships, connections, and flows of information between different actors within a system. This approach helps to understand the context, identify critical points and opportunities, and make strategic decisions.
Preparation
- Define the purpose: Establish the objective of the interaction map, such as analyzing relationships in a community, organizational system, or project.
- Identify key actors: Prepare an initial list of the actors or elements involved in the system to be analyzed (people, organizations, resources, processes).
- Gather materials:
- Large paper or whiteboards.
- Markers, sticky notes, or cards.
- Optional: digital tools like Miro or MURAL for online mapping.
Step-by-step instructions
- Introduce the purpose
- Explain what an interaction map is and how it helps understand complex systems.
- Introduce the context or topic to be analyzed (e.g., "How do the different actors interact in a community project?").
- Identify actors
- Facilitate a brainstorming session for participants to identify relevant actors in the system.
- Write each actor on a sticky note or card and place it in the workspace.
- Guiding question: "Who is directly or indirectly involved in this system?"
- Visualize connections
- Participants draw lines between actors with relationships, indicating flows of information, resources, or actions.
- Use different colors or symbols to categorize types of interactions (e.g., communication, resource exchange, conflicts).
- Collective analysis
- Reflect with the group on the represented relationships:
- Which connections are the strongest or most frequent?
- Which actors are disconnected or underutilized?
- Which flows of information or resources are critical?
- Identify critical points, bottlenecks, or opportunities to improve the system.
- Reflect with the group on the represented relationships:
- Iterate and improve the map
- Adjust the map based on group insights and observations.
- Add or remove actors and connections as necessary.
- Closing and synthesis
- Summarize the main conclusions from the exercise.
- Discuss how the map can inform strategic decisions or specific actions.
- Document the final map for future reference.
Purpose
The purpose of the Interaction map is to understand key relationships and flows within a system, identify critical points or areas for improvement, and facilitate strategic decision-making based on a clear and shared vision of the context.Required materials
- Large paper, whiteboards, or wide surfaces for drawing.
- Markers, sticky notes, or cards.
- Strings or ribbons to represent physical connections.
Platforms
Practical recommendations
- Clarity in relationships: Define what the connections represent to avoid confusion (e.g., communication, resource exchange, influence).
- Active facilitation: Help the group stay focused and encourage everyone's participation.
- Documentation: Photograph the physical map or save a digital copy for future reference.
- Iteration: Allow adjustments to the map as new ideas or connections emerge.