Panarchy
Panarchy is a relationship mapping exercise that helps participants build useful connections and understand how people, roles, or ideas relate.
How to run it
- Introduce the idea of the Panarchy (and the Ecocycle if needed). Show an example, such as the MRSA infection Panarchy in Collateral Material below, and hand out a blank Panarchy chart to each participant. 5 min.
- Second step in pairs to “translate” the factors into levels and create labels for each level (4-7 levels are sufficient). 10 min.
- Third step in groups of four to compare their levels and finalize their chart with Post-its. 10 min.
- If there are multiple groups of four, create a single chart, by inviting each group to place any levels not previously included on the larger chart. 10 min.
- Invite participants to work in groups of four to reflect on the following questions: “On which levels have attention and resources been invested to date? Which levels have been neglected? What do I/we know about the status and dynamics in play at the different levels?” 10 min.
- In the whole group, share reflections from a few groups. 5 min.
- Collect the Ecocycle assessments from the groups. Each group presents the Ecocycle assessment of their level briefly. 10 min.
- Prioritize the opportunities and obstacles that emerge. 10 min.
- Panarchy enables people to visualize how systems are embedded in systems and helps them understand how these interdependencies influence the spread of change.
Run this exercise live
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What participants need now
Materials:
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Prompts to use +
Second step in pairs to “translate” the factors into levels and create labels for each level (4-7 levels are sufficient). 10 min.
Third step in groups of four to compare their levels and finalize their chart with Post-its. 10 min.
If there are multiple groups of four, create a single chart, by inviting each group to place any levels not previously included on the larger chart. 10 min.
Invite participants to work in groups of four to reflect on the following questions: “On which levels have attention and resources been invested to date? Which levels have been neglected? What do I/we know about the status and dynamics in play at the different levels?” 10 min.
In the whole group, share reflections from a few groups. 5 min.
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Panarchy. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Second step in pairs to “translate” the factors into levels and create labels for each level (4-7 levels are sufficient). 10 min.; Third step in groups of four to compare their levels and finalize their chart with Post-its. 10 min.; If there are multiple groups of four, create a single chart, by inviting each group to place any levels not previously included on the larger chart. 10 min.; Invite participants to work in groups of four to reflect on the following questions: “On which levels have attention and resources been invested to date? Which levels have been neglected? What do I/we know about the status and dynamics in play at the different levels?” 10 min.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Liberating Structures; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (2 sources observed, including Liberating Structures, SessionLab.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.