Panarchy
Panarchy helps groups understand how systems are interconnected across multiple levels, from micro to macro, to identify opportunities and obstacles for spreading ideas or innovations. By visualizing these interdependencies, participants can better leverage small changes and shifts at different levels to drive broader transformation.
Use Panarchy when you need a group to understand the systemic factors influencing a challenge or innovation, especially when seeking to scale an idea across different levels of an organization or ecosystem.
Solves: Siloed thinking, difficulty scaling initiatives, lack of understanding of systemic influences.
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Step 1: Introduce the concept of Panarchy and the Ecocycle (if needed). Show an example and distribute blank Panarchy charts. 5 min.
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Step 2: Individually, list factors influencing success, from smallest to largest (micro, meso, macro). 5 min.
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Step 3: In pairs, translate factors into 4-7 levels and create labels for each. 10 min.
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Step 4: In groups of four, compare levels and finalize the chart using sticky notes. 10 min.
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Step 5: If multiple groups, create a single chart by adding unique levels from each group. 10 min.
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Step 6: In groups of four, reflect on which levels have received attention/resources and which have been neglected. 10 min.
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Step 7: Share reflections from a few groups with the whole group. 5 min.
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Step 8: In groups of two or four, explore one level in depth using the Ecocycle, assessing its current phase (entrepreneurial, bureaucratic, heretical, renewal). 15 min.
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Step 9: Each group presents their Ecocycle assessment of their chosen level. 10 min.
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Step 10: In small groups, brainstorm obstacles and opportunities for spreading ideas/innovations across levels. 15 min.
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Step 11: Prioritize the identified opportunities and obstacles. 10 min.
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Step 12: For each opportunity/obstacle, create a first-action step using 1-2-4-All to influence levels above and below. 10 min.
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Step 13: Share action steps with the whole group, placing sticky notes on the corresponding levels of the Panarchy chart. 15 min.
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Step 14: Use What, So What, Now What? to make sense of and prioritize next steps. 15 min.
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Step 15: Revisit and update the Panarchy chart periodically.
- Ensure diverse perspectives are represented from all levels of the system.
- Encourage participants to think broadly and creatively about potential opportunities and obstacles.
- Use Panarchy for individual reflection by asking what contributes to a challenge at levels above and below.
- Combine with Social Network Webbing to identify key influencers across different levels.