Before you begin mapping, decide on the specific ecosystem or problem you want to analyse. Define its boundaries and scope, keeping in mind that this may change as you uncover new insights during the mapping process.

Brainstorm and list all the significant actors and elements within the chosen ecosystem. Actors can include individuals or organisations that influence or are influenced by the system. Elements are the resources, infrastructure, or other components within the system.

Consider how they interact, influence, and depend on each other. Some relationships may be hierarchical, while others may be collaborative or competitive. Draw lines or arrows to represent these connections, using different colours or symbols to indicate the nature of the relationships.

Create a visual representation of the ecosystem by placing stakeholders and elements on a large sheet of paper, whiteboard, or digital canvas. Arrange them in a way that reflects their relationships and connections.

With the completed ecosystem map in front of you, analyse the system for potential leverage points, gaps, or areas of opportunity. Look for places where a small change might have a significant impact on the entire system or where collaboration between stakeholders could lead to improvements.