<br>Traditional participatory systems modelling demands
synchronous time from many experts and face-to-face interaction. This is not
always feasible (e.g. recent pandemic) and can restrict which participants can
be included. There are additional limitations in the effectiveness of physical
paper-based modelling when handling large complex systems with numerous
variables and links between them. The key challenge facing practitioners is
then how we can retain the benefits of traditional participatory modelling whilst
exploiting the advantages of new technologies? This paper contributes to
development of an original systematic methodology based on Cybernetic
principles. The proposed method, refers to <i>5X</i> – standing for <i>Expose</i>,
<i>Explore</i>, <i>Exploit</i>, <i>Explain</i>, and <i>Expand</i>, offers a
fully virtual co-produced environment for better engagement of stakeholders,
developing more confidence in systems mapping, and promote knowledge to other
policy areas. A primary application of the proposed method in a real policy
setting illustrates its capability in generating a shared policy understanding
of complex Inclusive Economy system, where
there is conflicting or dispersed knowledge about system structure, refining this
understanding through online feedback channels, and transferring this
understanding to wider policy and academic partners through mutual
relationships.
<br>Traditional participatory systems modelling demands
synchronous time from many experts and face-to-face interaction. This is not
always feasible (e.g. recent pandemic) and can restrict which participants can
be included. There are additional limitations in the effectiveness of physical
paper-based modelling when handling large complex systems with numerous
variables and links between them. The key challenge facing practitioners is
then how we can retain the benefits of traditional participatory modelling whilst
exploiting the advantages of new technologies? This paper contributes to
development of an original systematic methodology based on Cybernetic
principles. The proposed method, refers to <i>5X</i> – standing for <i>Expose</i>,
<i>Explore</i>, <i>Exploit</i>, <i>Explain</i>, and <i>Expand</i>, offers a
fully virtual co-produced environment for better engagement of stakeholders,
developing more confidence in systems mapping, and promote knowledge to other
policy areas. A primary application of the proposed method in a real policy
setting illustrates its capability in generating a shared policy understanding
of complex Inclusive Economy system, where
there is conflicting or dispersed knowledge about system structure, refining this
understanding through online feedback channels, and transferring this
understanding to wider policy and academic partners through mutual
relationships.
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