Navigating Complexity in Impact Assessment: Systems Thinking and Participatory Modeling
Navigating Complexity in Impact Assessment: Systems Thinking and Participatory Modeling
Move from recognizing the need for systems thinking to applying it in IA. Gain a practical skill set and a participatory modelling method to build shared understanding of complex issues and support more effective, efficient and robust assessments.
- Presented by: Johanna S. Gordon
- Course level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Language of delivery: English
- Prerequisites: This course is intended for consultants, practitioners, planners, researchers and decision-makers with some experience in impact assessment (e.g. EIA, SEA, SIA or CEA), planning, environmental management or sustainability. No prior knowledge of systems thinking or systems modelling is required. Participants should be willing to actively engage in discussions and practical modelling exercises.
- Homework between sessions: No homework is required between sessions. Participants will receive optional reading material, software recommendations and additional resources for self-directed learning after the course.
- Logistics: This course takes place live over Zoom in multiple segments. Course times are listed in UTC; make sure to check that the time of this course works for you in your time zone.
Impact assessment (IA) addresses interconnected environmental, social, cultural and economic systems, cumulative effects, uncertainty and change over time. Linear thinking and siloed approaches can obscure interdependencies and unintended consequences when projects, plans programmes, and policies are being shaped. This participatory online workshop introduces systems thinking and qualitative systems modelling as practical tools for handling complexity in IA.
Across four modules, participants move from systems and complexity theory to developing and applying a qualitative systems model. Short exercises build practical modelling skills in recognising system components, cause-and-effect mechanisms, feedback structures, delays and resulting dynamics. Participants will be asked to propose cases from practice. One case will be used throughout to frame a problem and purpose, define boundaries, map relationships, interpret dynamics, test assumptions, identify meaningful interventions and formulate recommendations.
Participants work in plenary and breakout rooms on a shared Miro board. By comparing perspectives, making assumptions visible and developing a common language for defining and analysing a complex system, they explore how a systems approach can strengthen cross-sector communication and collaboration, streamline assessment workflows and support more robust, effective and efficient decisions. Each module ends with Q&A and reflection on applying the methods in practice.
Johanna S. Gordon is a consultant, researcher and trainer specialising in systems thinking, qualitative systems analysis, cumulative effects and impact assessment. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science and an MSc in Environmental Management and Physical Planning from Stockholm University. She has applied systems approaches across the fields of transport infrastructure, biodiversity, wind energy, strategic planning, and reindeer husbandry. Her work focuses on adapting systems thinking to the needs of IA, building understanding of systems approaches and developing practical skills in participatory modelling that help practitioners navigate complexity, build shared understanding and support meaningful, inclusive IA processes and outcomes.
IAIA Members: USD$480 // Non-Members: USD$580. Full payment must be received by the posted registration deadline.
All course times are listed in UTC. Make sure to check that the time of this course works for you in your time zone.
Registration instructions: Create or login to your IAIA Member Compass account. Register online using a credit card. To pay via wire, choose the invoice option at checkout. If paying via wire, please keep in mind that payment must be received by the registration deadline, and wire transfers can take several days to process. Please plan accordingly.
Please register early! The course will be cancelled if the minimum number has not been reached one week before the course start date. If the training course is cancelled at that time due to low enrollment, IAIA will notify you and provide refund information.
Payment & refund policies: Registration is not confirmed until payment has been received and a receipt has been issued. Pre-registration and pre-payment by individual course deadline is required. IAIA will refund registration fees upon written request received before the specific course deadline; a US$125 processing fee will be retained. After the course deadline date, no refunds will be issued for cancelations or no-shows. Substitutions for paid registrants may be made in writing without financial penalty.
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