EU Model
The UK’s 2016 EU Referendum struck us as a time when a lack of shared understanding of a complex system produced a deep social divide. For all the strong feelings, very few people seemed to have a good understanding of what the EU actually was – subjective mental models, assumptions, and fears drove a lot of the conversations and resulted in a clear lack of quality dialogue.
What if, instead of relying on these subjective views, we had evidence-based visual maps to explain the functioning of societal systems and our roles within them? What if we could use these shared references to disagree with each other in a more meaningful way?
We created a map of the EU to show that having conversations on shared ground is possible. You can watch Steve’s TEDx talk on the importance of mapping for systemic transformation here.
Related case studies
Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP)
is a major government strategy document that describes a future vision for the built environment in the UK.
After finalising their strategy for 2025, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust needed to make sure the changes to this complex and socially impactful system would be understood by a large number of varied stakeholders.
We have worked with the Institute of Asset Management (IAM) for many years to create materials that help IAM members have conversations with those new to the profession in particular, making it easier to explain what it is, why it is so powerful, and what it looks like for an organisation to go on the journey towards asset management maturity.
