The background
Since 2018, the Good Death Impact Network has united end-of-life changemakers and innovators from across Australia. Their mission is to foster innovation, challenge the status quo, and collaborate for influence.
By connecting, sharing ideas and supporting those in the system, the Network aims to bridge gaps and ensure a high quality end-of-life for all Australians.
In 2022, the Network recognised the dynamic nature of both the system and its members and embarked on a re-mapping process.
Their objectives were to provide a deeper understanding of the system's current reality, identify areas of influence, develop an action plan that stimulates constructive discussions, and encourages innovative thinking within their networks.
Our approach
As facilitators of the process, TACSI adopted four common approaches to the system’s mapping. Our aim was to actively engage members of the Good Death Impact Network, fostering collaboration to fuel actionable opportunities.
Our four-step mapping process included:
1. Culture mapping
We explored the underlying mental models shaping the system's current state and the desired outcomes. Members identified specific behaviours driving these outcomes and enabling factors, shedding light on the system's reality and aspirations.
2. Causal loop mapping
Using The Waters of Systems Change framework, we unravelled the interdependencies within the system. By mapping diverse perspectives on the major challenges, we identified key factors aligned to policies, practices, resource flows, relationships, connections, power dynamics and mental models.
This analysis revealed ‘hotspots’ where leverage could be applied for meaningful change.
3. Identifying change levers
We pinpointed the highest-leverage points identified in the previous mapping exercise as our change levers. By inviting members to share their assumptions on shifting these levers, we explored strategies and interventions to drive impactful change within the end-of-life system.
4. Network mapping
We captured the connections and influence of Network members in specific spaces, helping the Network identify who can aid in influencing the system by targeting leverage points and spreading their message more effectively. The resulting guide provided valuable insights on key connections to achieve desired outcomes.
The outcomes
The Good Death Impact Network has compiled the insights from our systems mapping approach and identified key change levers to develop a downloadable toolkit.
This resource empowers the Network and the wider community to spark conversations and generate ideas within their own networks, using the identified levers.
It also encourages people to take action aligned with their unique position in the system, fostering a diverse ecosystem of actions that address challenging areas.
Toolkit: We can die better, Australia!
Throughout this resource, the Network actively shares successful practices and lessons learned, facilitating the adaptation, adoption and dissemination of effective ideas across networks.
Join us in making a difference by taking action and engaging with the Good Death Impact Network.