An influence diagram consists of a central core
with branches emerging from the core and twigs from the branches:
- Core -- Any item you want to focus on
- Branches -- Significant items associated with the core
- Twigs-- Items associated with a specific branch
Start by filling in the central core with the subject you
want to focus on (e.g., water resources). Draw a few branches
and label them with major concerns about your idea (e.g., fish,
hydropower, water demands, decisionmakers, publics). Draw as many
branches as you wish. Then draw in twigs (e.g., instream flows,
temperature) off the main branches. Label the twigs with ideas
that relate to its main branch. When you are through, check to
see if an idea appears more than once. If so, draw an arrow between
(or circle) the ideas that are the same. Those that appear most
often will likely be the most important ideas, having the greatest
relationships. They should probably command the highest priority.
Schedule your time and money on these ideas first.
Need more detail? Make that item a new focus and start another
influence diagram.
Great precision is not required. Continue work on a specific
diagram until enough knowledge is displayed to distinguish a choice,
usually not more than 10 minutes. There are no right or wrong
choices.
These diagrams can be very effective when used within your
team, in workshops, or in meetings with people of diverse opinions.
Organize them into small groups and have them create influence
diagrams on flip charts. It will help them visualize relationships
and identify the most important issues.
Because the process is nonthreatening and nonpolarizing, ideas
are expressed openly and without judgment--making it easier to
build trust and consent.
- Use the results from a brainstorming exercise to develop
influence diagrams.
- Use specific resources as the focus for influence diagrams.
Pay attention to those related ideas--they may represent primary
elements that can be combined into other solutions.
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