Introduction to Cognitive Mapping
This course introduces the technique of causal mapping to structure a complex problem, and the method of cognitive mapping to interview stakeholders. Together, this enables analysts or facilitators to build a map and model of stakeholders’ beliefs, values and objectives to enable effective definition of a problem.
Description
Operational Research analysts are often in the situation of having to understand complex situations. This can involve understanding how different issues or variables relate to one another; and how they impact organisational strategies and goals. It can also involve understanding how different stakeholders perceive the situation differently and understanding how to reconcile this, either to inform model building or to gain agreement. This course will introduce the technique of causal mapping to structure a complex problem, and the method of Cognitive Mapping to interview stakeholders. Together, this enables analysts or facilitators to build a map and model of stakeholders’ beliefs, values and objectives in relation to a problem to enable effective definition of a problem.
2023 Prior knowledge
The course is designed for analysts, consultants and facilitators working with ill-structured or strategic problems. It is also of benefit to academics seeking practical exposure to cognitive mapping as a research tool, or for teaching the subject.
2023 Audience
The course is designed for analysts, consultants and facilitators working with ill-structured or strategic problems. It is also of benefit to academics seeking practical exposure to cognitive mapping as a research tool, or for teaching the subject.
2023 Topics
This is a practical course providing a thorough grounding in Cognitive Mapping as a modelling technique and its application to semi-structured stakeholder interviewing.
The course introduces mapping as a modelling technique, together with a demonstration of the software Decision Explorer. Ample practice is given in using the modelling technique in case exercises. The course continues by introducing cognitive mapping as an interviewing tool both for eliciting project scope from clients and consulting with project stakeholders.
The course develops both the technical modelling skills, as well as the ‘soft’ process skills of 1-1 facilitation.
2023 Course goals and outcomes
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Causal/cognitive mapping as a modelling technique
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How to use cognitive mapping as a semi-structured interviewing tool
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Find out how to capture, structure and visually represent the issues within complex problem situations
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Understand how to scope a client problem and their goal hierarchy before embarking on analysis
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Learn how to represent differing stakeholder perspectives of a problem situation
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Improve your ‘soft’ skills