This page catalogues important resources for Map the System participants to access throughout the duration of the competition.
Students may take part in Map the System as part of a course or independently. Students who are taking part in Map the System outside of a course are encouraged to take advantage of the non-course syllabus to help guide them through competition milestones.
Oxford Learning Program
With the launch of Map the System 2025, the University of Oxford has released a new learning opportunity for students! All students on campus can register and access a free Oxford-based learning program designed to help them develop systems thinking skills.
Student Resources on this page:
Competition Rules & Guidebooks
- Review the UWaterloo Map the System Workbook for activities to progress your research
- Review Canada's Map the System website to find key information. The Student Resources webpage is especially useful in helping students at all stages of mapping their systems, from systems-thinking context to practical application
- Review the Evaluation Criteria
- View a past Centre for Peace Advancement info session video or slides below.
Competition Timeline
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Map the System Info Session (January 2025)
Map the System Info Session (January 2024)
Map the System Info Session (January 2020)
Systems Mapping Resources
- Review this 12 step "Student Guide to Mapping a System" that will help you and your team walk through the process of mapping a system
- Review the tool, Impact Gaps Canvas created by Daniela Papi-Thornton, designer of Map the System. This exercise will help you understand the landscape of your problem and identify some paths to a solution
Research Design Resources
- View the Research Design Essentials webinar or review the slides from the webinar
Presentation Resources
- Participants are invited to structure their video presentations around the slides in the Map the System Presentation Template
More Resources on Systems Thinking
Articles and Guides:
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The 6 Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinkers | Leyla Acaroglu
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Systems Thinking: What, Why, When, Where, and How? | Micheal Goodman
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Leveraging Change: The Power of Systems Thinking in Action | David Peter Stroh
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Introduction to Systems Thinking | Daniel H. Kim
Books:
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Thinking in Systems | Daniela Meadows (Available online)
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Embracing Complexity | Boulton, J., P. Allen, et al
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Systems Thinking for Social Change | David Peter Stroh (Available online)
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The Systems Thinking Playbook | Linda Booth Sweeney (Available in print)
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The Systems Work of Social Change: How to Harness Connection, Context, and Power to Cultivate Deep and Enduring Change | Cynthia Rayner and François Bonnici
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Getting Beyond Better | Sally Osberg and Roger Martin (Available online - audiobook)
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Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take Links to an external site.| Paul Polman and Andrew Winston
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The Fifth Discipline | Peter Senge (Available in print)