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.
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)