Network mapping exercise

Step 1: Define the purpose of the network mapping exercise.

For example: improve communication, identify gaps, and identify opportunities. 

Step 2: Determine the scope of the network mapping exercise.

For example: Internal to the organization, external to the organization or both 

Step 3: Collect data - Identify all relationships 

Gather data about your organization's relationships. Ideally, all senior staff will be involved in this activity to ensure a comprehensive list of everyone connected to the organization is created.  

Identify all people/organizations that are connected to the festival (include name and organization). 

These people / organizations are called Nodes in social network analysis. 

1. Note whether they are internal or external to the organization. 

2. Describe the nature of the relationship (information sharing, resource sharing…) 

3. Note the direction of the relationship (unidirectional or multidirectional) 

4. Describe the type of relationship (informal, formal) 

5. Frequency of interaction (regular, irregular) 

6. Describe the purpose of interaction (information sharing, supportive activities, resource sharing, decision making) 

Step 4: Visualize  

Create visual maps to represent various aspects of the network. The maps can show the overall network, key influencers, common paths and directions of communication, or isolated clusters. The visualization is made up of: 

1.  Nodes: These represent the entities within the network, such as individuals, organizations, or any other units. 

2. Edges: These are the connections or relationships between the nodes. Edges can be directed (indicating a one-way relationship) or undirected (indicating a mutual relationship). 

3. Paths: A sequence of edges that connects a pair of nodes. The length of the path is the number of edges in the sequence. 

Step 5: Analyze 

There are many ways to analyze network maps. For this exercise, we will explore two different ways of examining the network to help in emergency management. 

1. Types of ties that exist within the network: 

Simple ties are those where a node (person or organization) is only connected to the festival in one way or through one person. Multiple ties are those where a node (person or organization) is connected to the festival in multiple ways or through multiple people.  

Colour code simple and multiplex ties: 

Simple ties are useful for understanding basic communication pathways and ensuring that essential information can flow between key actors. Networks composed mainly of simple ties might be more vulnerable to disruptions if key communication links fail. Knowing the simple ties that exist helps one to map out straightforward resource allocation such as who is responsible for what. May indicate a basic level of trust required for specific interactions. If some pathways or resource sharing is considered essential to function after a disaster, the organizations may want to develop simple ties into multiplex ties.  

Multiplex ties are crucial for identifying robust partnerships where entities work together on multiple fronts. Networks with multiplex ties are typically more resilient, as the multiple layers of connection provide redundancy and alternative pathways for collaboration and support. Understanding multiplex ties provides a nuanced understanding of how resources are shared, which can be critical in optimizing resource sharing and ensuring that various needs are met during an emergency. Multiplex ties often involve greater trust and reliability, as people or organizations engaged in multiple forms of interaction are likely to have established stronger, more dependable relationships. 

2. Identify strengths and weaknesses in the network: 

Central nodes (influencers or hubs) are those that have many edges (and therefore are connected to many other nodes). Identifying central nodes is important. These central nodes function as central points through which information can be disseminated quickly and resources shared with many other nodes. Furthermore, highly connected nodes often bring together diverse groups, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas, which can lead to innovation. However, If a highly connected node is removed (leaves or is unavailable), it can have a disproportionately large impact on the network, potentially leading to significant disruptions. Finally, organizations must be careful not to overburden highly connected nodes, leading to inefficiencies and potential bottlenecks as they try to handle too many connections or too much information. 

This is an example of a communication network. While it is not specific nor comprehensive, this diagram demonstrates how identifying notes and edges makes it possible to visualize who communicates and shares resources with whom. Note that it is clear who communicates most within and outside of the organization and who is the most isolated.