Idea Network Analysis is a method for crowdsourcing the understanding of and the design of interventions for any number of complex challenges. Unlike typical group processes which rely on achieving consensus; this process allows the many and diverse viewpoints on an issue to emerge. The methodology relies on brainstorming, sorting, and rating to collect input from the group. Input is web enabled so that participants respond at a time and place convenient for the participant; time zones and geography are not barriers to participation. Multivariate statistical analyses create a visual representation, a map, of the group's thinking. The group can interpret the map, discuss the mean and plan actions based on their collective wisdom. The maps are visual so knowledge of the underlying mathematics is not required. Software and other resources at: http://dmclinden.github.io/

1. 1 Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing
2 Howe, J. (2006) ‘The rise of crowdsourcing’, Wired, vol. 14, no. 6. Accessed online at
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/crowds.html
3 Howe, J. (2008) Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business, Crown: New
York, NY.
4 Benkler, Y. (2011). The Penguin and the Leviathan: The triumph of cooperation over self-interest. New
York: Crown Business.
“Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or
content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people.”1

2. Why crowdsource ideas for problems and goals? Because...
One thing a person cannot do, no matter how rigorous his analysis or
heroic his imagination, is to draw up a list of things that would never
occur to him.
Thomas Schelling, Nobel Laureate
To go fast go alone, to go far, go together
African proverb
Idea Networks (aka concept mapping)
Crowdsourcing solutions to wicked problems and the pursuit of audacious goals

3. For example, a company working on a strategy once used “To
strengthen the leadership position of our organization within the US
market and to raise the profile to that of a Top 5 player within 3 years
requires that we …”
Step 1. Create a prompt – Define the issue to prompt individuals for their best
ideas
The prompt is like a vision
statement, very carefully
crafted wording to elicit a
desired response.
The prompt is unlike a vision
statement because it is open-
ended and allows many people
to contribute ideas to complete
the thought.

4. For example
To strengthen the leadership position of our organization within
the US market and to raise the profile to that of a Top 5 player
within 3 years requires that we …
 Ensure that customers always come first
 Maintain impeccable standards
 Outdo our competitors with our scientific excellence
 Foster a partnering relationship with the teams
 Maintain consistency among monitors in terms of their competency
 Trash the e-portals or make them work
 Provide more communication from senior leaders
 Show people you appreciate their contribution
 Go the extra mile to create a “a real partnership”
Etc.
Step 2. Generate ideas in response to the prompt: Each participant works individually
to contribute their best thinking to complete the prompt. Ideas can be collected in-
person, by email, in a survey questionnaire, etc. Ideas are collected asynchronously,
participants respond at a time and place convenient for the participant. Time zones and
geography are not barriers to participation.

5. 2. Value the ideas (optional) : Participants
work individually to value on one or more
measures (e.g., importance, feasibility).
1. Organize the ideas: Participants work
individually and sort the ideas into groups
based on common meaning (themes) that
they [participant] create and name.
Step 3. Organize the ideas: Each participant receives the final list containing all of
the ideas. Each participant works individually to organize the ideas based on meaning
and value. Individuals participate asynchronously, participants respond at a time and
place convenient for the participant. Time zones and geography are not barriers to
participation.
2. another
idea
1. Idea
3. Yet
another idea

6. Step 4. Analysis: Mathematical algorithms objectively integrate the
contributions from multiple individuals into a single picture or map that
shows the detailed ideas, themes and priorities.

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Step 5: Share the maps and facilitate discussion about meaning and action.
As a result of sorting the
ideas, a map can be
computed that shows all of
the ideas in relation to each
other. Each point represents
an idea, the location of the
point is determined by an
algorithm.

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17. Have national speakers
63. Include invited speakers from other
institutions
40. Influence physicians to
consider some sort of change in
the way they practice medicine.
1. Challenge the audience to
question their practice
Distance on the map has meaning. Similar ideas are close together and …

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63. Include invited speakers
from other institutions
… different ideas are far apart.
1. Challenge the audience to
question their practice
9. Generate more probing
discussions during the
question and answer
sessions.
34. Provide current, state-of-
the-art knowledge about key
pediatric disorders and
practice.

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5. Cover areas form the CCHMC strategic plan.
10. Show-off the current ways in which Cincinnati Children's puts itself on the map, such as clinical outcomes being improved in
different divisions and survival rates improved due to protocols CCHMC has developed.
12. Focus on those topics in which CCHMC is the leader and on the bleeding edge" of change.
28. Present topics that align with and relate to the Strategic Plan.
44. Highlight large center wide initiatives
48. Present cutting edge clinical programs available at CCHMC
61. Highlight our publications. For instance each issue of "Pediatrics" contains articles authored or co-authored by someone at CCHMC.
79. Present new concepts and new physicians at CCHMC
This map shows how similar ideas coalesce into themes based on proximity
7. Provide an opportunity for presentations by visiting
faculty who are national experts.
17. Have national speakers
21. Invite individuals from national organizations (i.e.
AAP president) to speak on policy issues
29. Invite national and international experts to
enhance our local knowledge and traditions.
32. Include international speakers to provide insights
into disease and disease management in other
countries.
59. Bring in national and international leaders in
pediatric health care for presentations
62. Feature speakers who are recognized as the
leaders or 'rising stars' in their respective fields.
63. Include invited speakers from other institutions
64. Have world-renowned experts present their
research and innovations in their fields.
To reflect CCHMC’s role as the leader in child health and a global education destination Pediatric Grand Rounds must…

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Naming each concept based on the underlying ideas creates a shared mental
model through a common language
Provide a Greater
Community and
Global Perspective
Provide Multiple
Perspectives
Impact Primary Care
Be Accessible
through Multiple
Channels
Utilize
Outside/Visiting
Presenters
Highlight CCHMC Focus on Innovation
Include Topics for a
Diverse Audience
Cover Current Practice

12. Step 6. Review the values: Ratings can be added into the map to illustrate priorities.
Provide a Greater
Community and
Global Perspective
Provide Multiple
Perspectives
Impact Primary Care
Be Accessible
through Multiple
Channels
Utilize
Outside/Visiting
Presenters
Highlight CCHMC Focus on Innovation
Include Topics
for a Diverse
Audience
Cover Current Practice
Higher
Lower
Impact primary care
Cover current practice
Provide multiple perspective
Include topics for a diverse audience
Focus on innovation
Engage the audience
Utilize outside/visiting presenters
Provide a greater community and global perspective
Be accessible through multiple channels
Highlight CCHMC

13. Pattern analysis to examine the values
Impact primary care
Cover current practice
Focus on innovation
Highlight CCHMC
Utilize outside/visiting
presenters
Be accessible
through multiple
channels
Engage the audience
Include topics for a
diverse audience
Provide multiple perspectives
Provide a greater
community and global
perspective
Group A
Or
Importance
Group B
Or
Feasibility
Pattern if everyone
agrees.
Impact primary care
Cover current practice
Focus on innovation
Highlight CCHMC
Utilize outside/visiting
presenters
Be accessible
through multiple
channels
Engage the audience
Include topics for a
diverse audience
Pay attention to
presentation design
Provide a greater
community and global
perspective
Group A
Or
Importance
Group B
Or
Feasibility
This pattern analysis illustrates
the reality, the areas of
agreement and difference.

14. The Benefits of a creating an idea network (aka concept map)
Connect stakeholders (executives, staff, customers, suppliers) in a collaborative effort
and access the best thinking without regard to organizational boundaries, roles,
function, etc.
Ensure better decisions result because when more people participate they expand the
range of issues to consider or solutions to pursue and more people can imagine more
ideas and more solutions.
Communicate because everyone understands the issue because one picture is
worth… and the same picture is in every mind.