Actor Mapping
Actor Mapping
An actor map is a visual depiction of the key organizations and/or individuals that make up and/or influence a system of interest, as well as their relationships to a given issue and to one another.
This includes those at the centre of the system, as well as actors who change and shape the system from the edges.
We use actor mapping to explore the connections between actors in order to strengthen the system as a whole. It can help identify the diverse stakeholders that may influence an issue. This is not just about their relationship to the given issue but also about the different connections between actors.
Actor maps vary in appearance. The basic element is a variety of different actors arranged in relation to one another, and may include additional information to represent connections, momentum, obstacles, and opportunities.
The following process has been largely derived from System Mapping: A Guide to Developing Actor Maps, by FSG (2016) under a Creative Commons Licence. https://www.fsg.org/tools-and-resources/guide-actor-mapping
Accessibility:
This activity requires participants to read written notes on a large wall space
Output: The output from the process produces a map which can later be captured digitally through tools such as MURAL, IDEAFLIP, or MIRO.
Process: a medium sized activity, there are a series of steps, usually involving several participants, and is used to achieve a specific output often in 1 session.
Investment: low investment, medium skill, low time
Outcomes
Clarify who the key actors are and their roles within the system
Highlight points of connection and tension between actors, and opportunities to strengthen relationships within the system
Greater attention to how energy moves within the system, where there are gaps and where it gets stuck
When and Why Do I Use This
*Gain clarity: *Gain insights into relationships within a system and a diversity of perspectives
Find Leverage: Identify opportunities to strengthen the system by leveraging connections between actors
Reflect Learn Adapt: Revisiting your actor map allows you to see how the relationships within your system are shifting and changing as you engage, bringing new insights to light.
Purposeful Engagement: Actor mapping invites others into the process and opens up consideration for different perspectives within your system.