What is Ripple Effect Mapping?
Ripple Effect Mapping is an evaluation method that helps to explore the ways we work, the outcomes of our work, and the stories we tell. It’s a way of visualising the journey and the steps we take to achieve the goals we set out, as well as all the lessons learnt, and any gaps we found along the way.
Why Ripple Effect Mapping?
People are unique, which means that the health and social care services that support them have to be adaptable and person-centred. What works for one person, may not work for someone else. Health and social-care services often work in a person-centred way, which means that the support they give can often be bespoke. It can be hard to capture what health and social-care services do on a spreadsheet or with just numbers. So, we’re exploring new ways to evaluate services and capture the incredible work they do for the people they support. We are finding that Ripple Effect Mapping is an effective evaluation method and captures the whole journey.
How have we been using Ripple Effect Mapping?
We’ve been using Ripple Effect Mapping to support services funded by the Regional Integration Fund (RIF) with evaluating the work they do for their reports to Welsh Government.
My experience with Ripple Effect Mapping.
Using Ripple Effect Mapping as an evaluation tool has given me a chance to go out to services and meet with teams across North Wales. It’s really valuable to put faces to names and create stronger connections with people that I’ve been working with exclusively online.
It’s been a privilege to help facilitate the Ripple Effect Mapping workshops and to see the teams gain understanding, clarity and appreciation of the work they do and visually see all the intricate parts of their service. I’ve especially enjoyed seeing people see value and worth in some of the smaller steps and actions they take in achieving an outcome or goal. Often it is those smaller acts (like sitting with someone and making a cup-of-tea) that have led to stronger connections and clearer communication.
For me, personally, I have gained a greater understanding of the services I’m supporting. I’m seeing the human-nature, heart and passion behind the numbers, written reports and case studies I am given. I know the process has made me a better evaluation officer and more equipped to write reports that better reflect the services and the work they are doing.
Can I do Ripple Effect Mapping?
Absolutely! If, you’d like more information about Ripple Effect Mapping, please contact us at: NWRICH@denbighshire.gov.uk
