Who Can Find Value in Network Weaving and Social Network Analysis Maps?

In our increasingly interconnected world, understanding the relationships and connections between people, organizations, and resources has become crucial for creating lasting impact. 

In the past decade, network weaving and social network analysis (SNA) have been increasingly important frameworks that help organizations visualize, analyze, and strengthen these vital connections. But who exactly can benefit most from these mapping approaches? Spoiler alert: The answer is almost every organization and coalition. 

Let’s explore a few case studies here: 

The Social Impact and Nonprofit Sector

The social sector, with its complex web of stakeholders and collaborative initiatives, is likely one of the first examples you will hear about when it comes to network mapping. Take the work of broad-based coalitions or community foundations for example. These entities serve as crucial bridges between various nonprofit organizations, donors, and community needs. Through network mapping, these groups gain unprecedented insight into the ecosystem they serve. 

One such use case can be explored through the lens of a foundation. In this example, a foundation can utilize social networking analysis and mapping tools to analyze the connections between the hundreds of nonprofit organizations they support, whether it’s in a specific community or nationwide. By surveying and mapping a set of grantees or organizations, we begin to notice patterns – clusters of highly connected organizations working in similar issue areas, isolated groups that needed support in building stronger partnerships, and unexpected gaps in service delivery that had not previously identified.

The mapping process can then be used by staff at a foundation to make more strategic decisions about their grantmaking and ecosystem building. For example, staff can intentionally foster collaboration between organizations that were doing similar work but did not know about each other. Similarly, by visualizing the mission-driven efforts in a specific region, staff often find those small, grassroots organizations that are perfectly positioned to bridge different communities if only for a little extra capacity-building support to fulfill this potential. When combined, these insights can lead to a broader capacity-building initiative that can strengthen the overall nonprofit ecosystem and deepens the impact of foundation grantmaking. 

Food Security Networks: Mapping for Greater Impact

Another application of network mapping comes from the food security sector and scientists with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Using social network analysis, a group of scholars studied the efficacy and connectivity of food policy councils (FPCs) around the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By mapping the network of partnering organizations and agencies within FPCs, the strength of existing partnerships, and the frameworks they use, the group was able to uncover the key actors within the FPC network and identify opportunities for new partnerships that could help strengthen regional food systems. 

Increasing Business Efficiency and Innovation

The private sector has increasingly recognized the power of network mapping to break down silos and foster innovation. To illustrate this potential, consider a mid-sized company faces challenges with its product development process. The company maps connections between its design, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing teams, revealing that critical insights from front-line sales representatives aren't reaching the product development team until late in the design process. Through network analysis, they discover that while the sales team regularly documents customer feedback, this information travels through three different departments before reaching product designers, often losing crucial context along the way.

By visualizing these communication patterns, the company identifies opportunities to create direct channels between sales and product development teams. They establish regular cross-functional meetings and implement a shared feedback platform. The results are significant: product development cycles shorten by several months, customer feedback is incorporated earlier in the design process, and interdepartmental collaboration increases measurably. This example demonstrates how network mapping can help businesses identify both formal and informal collaboration patterns, reveal hidden organizational experts, and pinpoint opportunities for improving knowledge flow. Companies can use these insights to make informed decisions about team structures, communication protocols, and resource allocation, ultimately leading to increased innovation and operational efficiency.

Weaving Together Education Programs

Educational nonprofits face the complex challenge of coordinating multiple stakeholders to support student success. In this sector, network mapping has revolutionized how organizations understand the complex ecosystem of institutions and individuals that play a role in student success. One network analysis study in Dallas County, Texas provides an illuminating example of this approach in action. 

Leading scholars deployed a network analysis of the ecosystem of afterschool programs in the region, revealing both the areas of strength where programs were interconnected as well as the vulnerabilities among certain programs that were more isolated from the overall ecosystem. Using the data and maps, local leaders can now take a systems-based approach to strengthening the ecosystem, which will ultimately lead to an array of benefits, including increased cross-network resource sharing, more holistic program development, and deeper evaluation and funding initiatives. 

Improving Cross-Department Collaboration in Government 

Municipal governments often struggle with silos between departments and agencies, leading to inefficient service delivery and frustrated citizens. Network mapping has emerged as a powerful tool for breaking down these barriers and improving coordination. 

In recent years, municipalities and federal agencies have leaned into this concept by mapping the connections between departments, revealing not just formal reporting relationships but also informal networks of communication and collaboration that are essential in any organization or ecosystem that deals with capacity issues. 

For example, social network analysis can help governments and coalitions alike identify instances of service duplication where multiple people are working on similar initiatives without coordination. They also reveal unexpected bottlenecks in communication flows and highlight departments that are natural connectors but aren't being utilized to their full potential. 

The benefits extend far beyond improved efficiency too. By understanding the networks that exist, municipalities have been able to create more responsive emergency services, streamline permit processes that previously required citizens to navigate multiple departments, and develop more effective community engagement strategies. This systematic approach to understanding and strengthening inter-agency relationships has become a model for other municipalities looking to improve their service delivery.

Looking to the Future

The future of network mapping lies not just in understanding existing relationships but in actively shaping them to create positive change. Whether it's a community foundation working to strengthen local nonprofits, an educational organization trying to improve student outcomes, or a municipality coordinating disaster relief, network mapping provides the insights needed to build stronger, more resilient communities.

The key to successful implementation lies in approaching network mapping not as a one-time project but as an ongoing process of learning and adaptation. Organizations should start by clearly defining their objectives, engaging key stakeholders in the mapping process, and being prepared to act on the insights they gain. While the initial investment in time and resources may be significant, the potential for improved effectiveness and impact makes it well worth the effort.

In our interconnected world, the ability to understand and strengthen networks has become a crucial skill for any organization seeking to create lasting change. Organizations that embrace these concepts now will be better positioned to understand and optimize their networks, leading to more effective partnerships and greater impact.