social+network+analysis

//exploring strategic links//
 * Social network analysis**


 * What it is**

Knowledge resides in social networks to a large extent. It is therefore important to better understand what these networks are and how they function. Social networks are nodes of individuals, groups, organisations or related systems connected to one another in different ways (e.g. working relations, functions, project collaboration, sharing of expertise, etc.) . Social network analysis maps these connections and visualizes formal and informal connections and knowledge flows between people, groups and organisations.


 * When to use it **

Carrying out a social network analysis within the scope of your activity or at the organizational level can bring you the following results:

- visualize relationships within and outside the organisation - identify knowledge bottlenecks, isolated individuals and groups - identify knowledge flows: who’s seeking information and knowledge from whom? - accelerate knowledge flows across functional and organisational boundaries - strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of existing formal communication channels - improve innovation and learning - refine strategies


 * How it is applied**

- Identify the network of people to be analysed - Define the objectives and the scope of analysis - Identify types of relationships and knowledge flows between individuals and organizations that you want to analyze <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Gather the necessary background information in function of the previous point (relevant data that clarifies the scope of the analysis) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Formulate hypotheses and questions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Develop survey methodology and design a questionnaire (the main aim to do a survey is to have data (quantitative and qualitative) that we can use when we are going to analyse the network. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Process the results of the survey <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Use a software mapping tool to visualize the networks (for examples see SNA tools below) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Review the map and the problems and opportunities that it illustrates <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Design and implement actions to bring desired change <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- Map the network again after a suitable time

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Questions to ask
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who knows who and how well?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How well do people know each other's knowledge and skills?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who or what gives people information about xyz?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What resources do people use to find information/feedback/ideas/advice about xyz?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What resources do people use to share knowledge about xyz?


 * How to adapt it**

- You can use the SNA method in combination with other methods:
 * As a start for strategic planning
 * In combination with other methods of the toolkit such as sociometrics

- Icebreakers that have a clear link with social networks, such as the "Six degrees of separation" can be used in a complementary way.

Allow approximately 15-20 minutes for the game. Once most people have finished, call time. Ask the winner to reveal his/her chain of separation by introducing those interviewed.
 * 1) It happens all the time: we meet someone who knows someone we know. The objective of this game is to see how small the world really is.
 * 2) First, find a partner. Introduce yourselves and make a list of five to ten things that you have in common with each other: where you went to school, year you were born, number of years with the organization, food likes, sports likes, etc.
 * 3) Once you have completed your first list, you must find someone else in the room that also has one of those five to ten things in common with you. When you have found that person, repeat step one and develop a new list.
 * 4) Repeat step two.
 * 5) Continue until you have met five other people or time is called by the facilitator.
 * 6) A prize can be given to the first person able to complete the game. When you are done, let the facilitator know that you have finished.

Different types of social network analysis exist. This method is designed to identify and reflect on knowledge flows. Social network analysis can analyze human rights situations as well. This is often referred to as "**actor mapping**", a tool that is presented in OHCHR trainings on human rights monitoring. We map actors and their relations around human rights issues, like key actors on the right to education in a given country, recruitment of children in armed forces, summary executions, cases of forced evictions, etc. Actors and their relations can be mapped to visually describe a human rights situation from the angle of its agents, protagonits, players, rights-holders, duty-bearers, etc., and the interplay among them, the power relations, the influence, the pressure, etc.


 * What to consider?**

It is very important to visualize the networks. Make sure you have large walls, paper, and other visualisation material available (if social network analysis software is not available).

SNA tools http://gephi.org/ http://www.netminer.com/NetMiner/home_01.jsp


 * OHCHR case**

During the Share, Learn and Innovate workshop we did a social network analysis on OHCHR. Two groups had the following instructions:

1. Identify the key internal or external actors.

2. Which type of knowledge sharing and collaboration is currently going on. Define the activity. Be concrete and concise. (Mapping exercise) - 15 min. x Green connections. Well established and institutionalized. x Orange connections. Informal and not institutionalized

3. Which type of potential knowledge sharing can you identify between sections and field presences that is currently not taking place yet? Opportunities - 15 min. x Red connections

This practical exercise led to interesting visualization on how real workflows were perceived among colleagues.

- Social Network Analysis. Knowledge Solutions. Asian Development Bank. 2009 http://bit.ly/i9pVvj - Who knows whom and who knows what. Susannah Patton. http://bit.ly/fz2nTb
 * Where to learn more?**