A New Hope for Complex Policy Problems
At BC Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG), we’ve spent the last decade nudging behaviours and designing interventions. But as our work evolves, so do the challenges we face. Today’s policy problems like climate change, housing affordability and healthcare are deeply interconnected. They don’t fit neatly into boxes. They require adaptive, holistic and collaborative approaches.
That’s where behavioural systems mapping (BSM) comes in. It’s a method that blends behavioural science with systems thinking to help us map out the relevant actors, their behaviours and how these influence and interact with one another to impact the desired outcome.
And to show you how it works, we’re turning to a galaxy far, far away.
Why Star Wars? Because it’s a story of complex systems—alliances, power dynamics, feedback loops, and leverage points. And let’s be honest: we all need a little break from reality.
Why Use Behavioural Systems Mapping
We’ll highlight three reasons BSM is worth your time—using Star Wars to bring each one to life.
1. Spotting Leverage Points
“The Force is strong with this one.” – Darth Vader, Episode IV: A New Hope
BSM helps you find the sweet spots—small actions that trigger big ripple effects.
Take Princess Leia. She’s not just a rebel leader; she’s a former senator and skilled diplomat. If she were mapping the system, she’d see that winning over other political leaders is a key leverage point. That one move could unlock funding, intelligence, and a fired-up civilian resistance.
Small move. Big payoff.
2. Understanding Feedback Loops
“Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.” – Yoda, Episode I: The Phantom Menace
BSM reveals how behaviours reinforce—or undermine—each other over time.
For example, if the Alliance successfully sabotages an important Imperial facility, it might inspire more civilians to join the cause. That boosts morale, increases support, and improves the odds of future victories. Win-win all around.
But not all loops are helpful. Let’s say the Alliance starts rehabilitating high-profile defectors from the Empire. Sounds good, right? The Alliance would be able to get valuable intel to target Imperial operations. But if civilians see this as letting war criminals off the hook, it could backfire and undermine trust and support. Rebel leaders would need to find a balance between welcoming defectors and holding them accountable.
BSM helps you anticipate feedback loops like these—before they spiral out of control.
3. Testing Assumptions
“Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
This is where BSM truly shines: it compels you to articulate your assumptions and critically examine whether they hold up.
The Alliance’s goal is clear – destroy the Empire. But what behaviours need to happen to get there? What’s standing in the way? And how do these behaviours lead to victory?
Let’s revisit Leia’s alliance-building strategy of winning over other political leaders. This sounds great, but it assumes political leaders have intel, influence, and resources. Are those assumptions solid? Maybe. Maybe not. Mapping them helps you ask better questions—and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Caption: Here’s a snapshot of our Star Wars behavioural systems map. View the larger map to see how the actors and behaviours connect in a complex system—no lightsabers required.
Caveat: We are by no means Star Wars experts! You might notice things don’t have connections as you see them. Let us know your interpretation in the comments!
What You Should Know Before You Start Mapping
Messiness is the point
“In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” – Yoda, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Systems are messy. They don’t fit into tidy tables. That discomfort? It’s useful. It pushes us to explore deeper and uncover hidden dynamics, whether in the Outer Rim or your own policy environment.
It’s iterative, not linear
“You must unlearn what you have learned.” – Yoda, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Don’t rush into mapping everything at once. Start small: identify key actors and behaviours, then build connections. Zoom in and out. Revise. Refine. Your map may never be “final” and that’s okay. The value lies in the process.
Diverse perspectives make the exercise stronger
“Many of the truths we cling to depend on our viewpoint.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Bring in others—system experts, frontline actors, everyday navigators. Their feedback helps you:
Validate assumptions
Capture complexity
Refine your map
Just like the Alliance, your strategy is stronger when shaped by many voices.
May the Mapping Be with You
Whether you’re navigating intergalactic politics or untangling real-world policy, BSM helps you think strategically, act intentionally, and adapt wisely. It’s not just about mapping behaviours—it’s about finding leverage points, spotting feedback loops, and challenging assumptions. That kind of clarity can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s complex. But when co-created with those who know the system best, it’s also incredibly powerful.
So go forth, young Jedi. May the Force be with you(r map).
Resources and tools
Tools:
A digital whiteboarding tool or visual collaboration platform of your choosing. For our Star Wars map, we used the Participatory System Mapper (PRSM), a free, open-source tool created by the Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus.
Further Reading:
BehaviourWorks at Monash University – How Behavioural Systems Mapping Can Prioritise Solutions
Centre for Behaviour Change at UCL – Hale | Decarbonising existing homes in Wales: a participatory behavioural systems mapping approach | UCL Open Environment
About the authors
Isabel Chew, Methods Specialist, BC Behavioural Insights Group
Anna Burrowes, Methods Specialist, BC Behavioural Insights Group