Ecosystems Designed for Change: Moving Beyond Mapping

July 2024

Series: Responsive Ecosystems for Change: A Practical Guide for Change Makers

Teri Garstka, PhD., Meaghan Kennedy, MPH & Michaela Bonnett, MPH

Building ecosystems is about more than who’s involved—it’s about how relationships, influence, and information move through a system. Mapping those connections is a good first step, but it’s not enough. To drive real, lasting change, we need to measure how ecosystems actually function.

Moving Beyond Mapping: A Guide to Ecosystem Measurement is the second white paper in the Responsive Ecosystems for Change series, created by KU Social Innovation Lab and Orange Sparkle Ball. It shows how network analysis can be a practical tool for ecosystem builders, helping leaders move from static visuals to data-driven insight.

This guide shows how to quantify an ecosystem’s structure, identify influential actors, spot hidden gaps, and test what’s working. If you’re leading a cross-sector initiative and want to track real impact—this is where you start.

Citation

Garstka, Teri A., Meaghan B. Kennedy, and Michaela Bonnett. “Moving Beyond Mapping: A Guide to Ecosystem Measurement.” Responsive Ecosystems for Change Series. Lawrence: University of Kansas, Spring 2025. https://hdl.handle.net/1808/36100