Design Gym: Ripple Effects Mapping Copy

Join our TVW Learning Community for the next installment in our virtual workshop series on applying our knowledge to real-world applications.

HOST: TVW Board Member & Graphic Facilitator Peter Durand

Harnessing the Power of Ripple Effect Mapping: A Virtual Workshop for Facilitators

Impact doesn’t happen in isolation—it spreads, evolves, and influences systems in ways we may not always see.

Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) is an effective facilitation tool that enables teams and organizations to visualize their initiatives’ direct and indirect effects, revealing hidden patterns and unforeseen results.

But how do facilitators guide a group through this dynamic process? How can we ensure that the insights from REM lead to meaningful action? And, what role does storytelling play in capturing the ripple effects of change?

Join us for an interactive virtual workshop designed to help facilitators master the art of Ripple Effect Mapping and use it as a tool for deeper learning, evaluation, and systems thinking.

What is Ripple Effect Mapping, and Why is it a Game-Changer?

Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash

Ripple Effect Mapping is a participatory, storytelling–based technique that helps teams visualize cause-and-effect relationships stemming from a program, project, or intervention.

By mapping an initiative’s direct and indirect impacts, teams can uncover connections that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Unlike traditional evaluation methods, REM is dynamic, engaging, and interactive—making it a powerful tool for systems thinking, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.

But this raises some intriguing questions:

• How do we ensure that REM surfaces both expected and unexpected outcomes?

• What types of conversations emerge when participants see their impact mapped visually?

• How can REM support adaptive learning in complex systems?

How Can Facilitators Use Ripple Effect Mapping in Live Workshops?

A well-facilitated REM session can be a transformative experience for a team, helping them shift from linear thinking to seeing the bigger picture of their impact. This tool can be used in:

• Strategic Planning: Understanding long-term effects of decisions and policies.

• Program Evaluation: Capturing the full scope of intended and unintended outcomes.

• Community Impact Mapping: Identifying how a local initiative has influenced stakeholders.

• Systems Thinking Exercises: Helping teams see how actions and interventions interact within a larger system.

Yet, facilitating a REM session requires skillful guidance:

• How do we frame REM so participants can think beyond immediate, short-term impacts?

• What strategies can facilitators use to ensure diverse voices are represented in the mapping process?

• How can REM be used to turn qualitative insights into actionable next steps?

What Are the Common Challenges in Facilitating Ripple Effect Mapping?

While REM is a powerful visual tool, it comes with facilitation challenges that require careful navigation:

• Capturing Complexity Without Overwhelming Participants: How can facilitators structure the mapping process to ensure clarity without oversimplifying the richness of insights?

• Engaging Participants in Storytelling: Some people naturally share stories, while others may need guidance. What techniques can facilitators use to help participants articulate their impact effectively?

• Ensuring Objectivity and Avoiding Bias: How do we ensure the mapping exercise is inclusive and captures multiple perspectives rather than being driven by dominant voices in the group?

What Are the Benefits for Facilitators of Mastering Ripple Effect Mapping?

By joining this workshop, facilitators will gain the skills to lead transformative REM sessions that help teams see, understand, and amplify their impact.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ Expert Facilitation Techniques: Learn how to guide groups through a successful REM session—balancing structure with open exploration.

✅ Practical Tools & Templates: Walk away with a step-by-step facilitation guide and digital templates you can use immediately in your own workshops.

✅ A Systems Thinking Mindset: Discover how REM can be leveraged for adaptive learning, strategic decision-making, and long-term impact assessment.

Join Us for This Hands-On Virtual Workshop!

Are you ready to explore how Ripple Effect Mapping can elevate your facilitation practice? Whether you’re leading evaluation sessions, strategic planning meetings, or systems-thinking workshops, this tool can unlock powerful insights and deeper engagement.

Reserve your spot today and learn how to help teams visualize, understand, and build upon the ripple effects of their work!

Registration

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM ET (17:00 CET)
Location: Virtual (Link will be emailed upon registration.)

Note: Attendance at the previous session is not a requirement for participating in this one.

Who Should Attend

• Aspiring and established collaboration designers and facilitators

• Business professionals seeking to enhance client interactions

• Anyone involved in group facilitation, communications, or graphic recording, whether inside or outside a larger firm or network

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: A sketchbook, white wall, flipchart, iPad, and simple drawing tools. Plus, your fanciest strategic thinking hat.

Your Host: Peter Durand

Peter Durand is an Artist, Educator, and Graphic Facilitator in Houston, Texas (USA). He worked his first MG Taylor DesignShop® in 1996, founded Alphachimp LLC in 1998, and has been involved in growing the practice of graphic recording and facilitation ever since. He has served as a facilitator for the MGT-designed NavCenter at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and worked with talented clinicians, administrators, faculty, students, and patients in one of the nation’s leading healthcare networks. A member of the Impact Hub Houston and sponsor of the inaugural Houston Energy & Climate Week, he shares the collective purpose: to build a regenerative economy where business and profit serve our people and the planet.