Social Network Mapping
A diagnostic method for visualising informal communication, collaboration, and influence networks within an organisation or community — revealing the hidden structure that sits beneath the formal org chart. Who actually goes to whom for information? Who are the connectors, the bottlenecks, the isolated people? Social network mapping informs leadership development, collaboration design, and change management.
Come eseguirlo
- 1
Design a short survey: 'Who do you go to most frequently for work-related information or advice? Who do you collaborate with most? Who do you trust most for honest feedback?'
- 2
Distribute to all participants. Keep responses confidential.
- 3
Map the responses: draw nodes (people) and directed edges (relationships) based on survey data. Software tools (Kumu, NodeXL) automate this.
- 4
Analyse the map: identify central connectors (high in-degree), isolated nodes, bridges between clusters, and bottlenecks.
- 5
Present the map to the group. Discuss: what surprises you? What risks do you see? Who is over-relied upon?
- 6
Use insights to design interventions: distribute knowledge, build bridges, develop overlooked talent.
Suggerimenti
Keep the map anonymised when presenting to groups — specific individual data should only go to relevant managers or the individuals themselves.
The goal is pattern recognition, not surveillance.
Central connectors burning out is one of the most common and most invisible organisational risks.
Variazioni
Run a 'hand-drawn' network map workshop: participants draw who they collaborate with on a shared board — less rigorous but fast. Combine with Stakeholder Mapping for external networks.
Casi d'uso
Domande frequenti
Quando usare Social Network Mapping?â–¾
Usa Social Network Mapping quando vuoi: Organisational design; Change management; Leadership development; Community network analysis.
Quanto dura Social Network Mapping?â–¾
Social Network Mapping dura tipicamente da 60 a 120 minuti.
Per quanti partecipanti è adatto Social Network Mapping?▾
Social Network Mapping funziona meglio per gruppi di 5–100 partecipanti.
Di quali materiali ho bisogno per Social Network Mapping?â–¾
Per condurre Social Network Mapping avrai bisogno di: survey tool or paper survey, network mapping software (optional), whiteboard for manual mapping.
Quanto è difficile facilitare Social Network Mapping?▾
Social Network Mapping è classificato come avanzato — meglio gestito da un facilitatore esperto.
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