This workshop aimed to teach participants how to apply systems thinking, design thinking, and project management frameworks to address challenges through strategic mind mapping. The workshop consisted of a presentation on these concepts and an activity where participants mapped an issue at their campus using post-it notes. They identified related concepts, opportunities, stakeholders and began drafting solutions and an action plan. The intent was for participants to walk away with a "playbook" and new skills to strategically address issues using a holistic, 30,000 foot perspective informed by applicable frameworks.

1. Applying the Tools of Systems
Thinking to Implement and Manage
Change on Campus
Facilitated by:
Mieko A. Ozeki
Sustainability Projects Coordinator
University of Vermont

2. Overview of Workshop
(a)Presentation
a. The Challenge of Change Management
b. Introduction to Strategic Mind Mapping and Applicable
Frameworks
c. Example: Mapping a Strategy for UVM’s Beverage System
and Banning Bottled Water
(a)Mind-mapping activity
(b)Discussion/Share
Time Allotment
Presentation
(15 min)
Mind-Mapping Activity in pairs
(60 min)
Closing
(5 min)

3. Workshop Outcomes
(a) Practice the application of system thinking, design thinking, and project
management frameworks via mind mapping.
(b) Develop a strategic mind map with a 30,000 foot perspective on an issue
you are working on at your campus.
(c) Walk out with a starter “playbook” for addressing specific issues,
campaigns, etc. and stakeholder relationships.
(d) Add a skill to your facilitation tool kit.

5. Your participation in this workshop will help you walk out with new
tools for your sustainability tool box. It also requires….
“A positive mental attitude unblocks the mind, increases the probability of
making spontaneous connections, relaxes the body, improves perception,
and creates a general expectation of positive results.”
- Tony Buzan

6. A growing number of students, faculty, and staff are increasingly concerned
about their environmental impacts and demand immediate action to be
taken. Despite good intentions, these same people can act in haste rather than
strategically implementing a long term solution.

7. Where DO I
Begin?

8. Strategic Mapping of Issues
and Relationships
• The intent is to look at issues,
problems, campaigns, relationships,
etc. from 30,000 foot view by
identifying opportunities, barriers,
key stakeholders, etc. through the
process of mindmapping. Also
called network mapping, idea
mapping, concept mapping.
• Mindmapping is the process of
visually presenting information via a
diagram.
• Mindmapping is a tool for applying
the frameworks of systems
thinking, design thinking, and
project management.

9. Applicable Frameworks of Mindmapping
Systems
Thinking
A holistic approach to
analysis that focuses on
the way that a system's
constituent parts
interrelate and how
systems work over time
and within the context
of larger systems.*
What? Who?
Design
Thinking
A formal method for
practical, creative
resolution of problems
or issues with the intent
of an improved future
result.
How?
Project
Management
The application of
knowledge, skills and
techniques to execute
projects effectively and
efficiently.*
What is the scope?
When?
Mind Mapping

10. Example: Bottled Water Ban @UVM

11. Example: Hydration Hydra Map
Translated into a To-Do List

12. Mind Mapping Activity

13. (a)Pair up and introduce yourselves
(a)Each persion should identify 1
or 2 pressing issue, problem,
etc. you are about to or
currently engaged in.
(a)Be specific about the issue you
want to address (ex. banning
bottled water)
(a)Summarize the issue into a single
word or succinct term.
Getting Started (5-minutes)

14. Step 1: Identifying the Parts of the System
10-minutes each; 20-minutes total
(a) With Post-it notes, put your single
word in the center of your map work
space. (Note: Your workspace can
be at a table or wall)
(a) Discuss with your partner the issue:
identifying what and who is or
could be involved.
(a) Your partner will listen and write on
Post-it notes a phrase, opportunity,
relationship they hear as you work
through the problem. One term
per Post-it note.
Systems
Thinking
What? Who?

15. Step 2a: Construct your mindmap-
Connect what & who (15-minutes)
Start to put together a rough
draft of a map with your post-
it notes.
Systems
Thinking
What? Who?

16. = Node, a concept
associated with central
issue.
= Branch, connects
one node related to
another node.

17. Step 2b: Construct your mindmap-
Identify the how (15-minutes)
• Take a step back and look at your maps.
• Talk with your partner.
• Can you identify possible solutions
(policies, programs, projects, etc.) to
implement?
Design Thinking
1. Define the
problem
1. Create and
consider many
options
1. Refine selected
direction.
3.5 Repeat
1. Pick the winner
& execute.
How?

18. “A system is more than the sum of its
parts. It may exhibit adaptive,
dynamic, goal-seeking, self-
preserving, and sometimes
evolutionary behavior.”
-Donella Meadows

19. Step 3: Draft scope and action plan
(5-minutes)
• Look at your system and write a scope
statement.
• A scope statement includes: Project
justification, Project product,
Project deliverables, Project
objectives.
• Jot down a starting task list.
Project
Management
What is the scope?
When?

20. Take a picture of your map

21. Record your maps
• Draw out the map you developed.
• You can take your map and draft it on a program such as Mindjet
Mind Manager, Mindnode, or other online software.
Mindjet® MindmanagerMindnode

22. Please take your maps back with you
to campus

23. References
Systems Thinking Design Thinking Project Management

24. References
Mind mapping Idea mapping Problem Solving with
pictures

25. Got feedback or questions?
Email me at mozeki@uvm.edu
Thank you!