Table 2 Summary of the three online GMB workshop activities

Introduction to systems and defining terms

(10 min)

Presentation of workshop agenda and objectives

Introduction to systems thinking, defining system dynamic concepts (variables, connections, polarity, feedback loops)

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint)

Individual CLDs representing, at high level, which activities and how commercial food and beverage industries influence adolescents’ dietary behaviour

Hopes and fears

(2 min)

To prompt and establish participant expectations for the workshop

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint)

Variable elicitation

(5 min)

Participants named factors that responded to the prompt: “WHAT do you think food and beverage companies (companies, shops, online platforms) do to have an impact on what you / your friends choose to buy and eat.” The factors mentioned were annotated into STICK-E, a system mapping platform

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint, STICK-E)

Behaviour over-time graphs

(3 min)

Participants were prompted to identify key factors around the problem and their development over time. Participants were prompted to draw the behaviour over-time graphs in a digital white board. This activity also helped in gathering insight in deciding the reference modes for the mapping exercise

(BlueJeans digital white board, PowerPoint)

Connection circle

(5 min)

The shared screen moved from PowerPoint to STICK-E. The factors mentioned during the variable elicitation exercise were annotated into STICK-E and participants were guided to identify the connections between the different factors that contribute to or are affected by the problem variable

(BlueJeans, STICK-E)

Causal Loop Diagram from connection circles

(5 min)

Using STICK-E, the connection circle can be transformed into a CLD and participants were guided to describe the causal structure and feedback relationships between the variables. Participants were prompted to think about the nature of the relationship between the variables and to visualize various interactive causal pathways affecting their dietary behaviour

(BlueJeans, STICK-E)

Interlude 1: CLD synthesis—Modeller/facilitator

Activity

Aim and description

(applications used)

Output

Causal map synthesis

Combine the CLDs produced in Workshop 1 into an overarching CLD containing mentioned factors/variables and connections

(STICK-E)

Synthesised CLD with seed structure for Workshop 2

-Map 1

Workshop 2: Group Model Building workshop – Group participants (90 min)

Participants: Adolescents, modeller/facilitator and note taker

Activity script

Aim and description

(applications used)

Output

Causal mapping with seed structure

To develop further the CLD created in Workshop 1

A raw overarching CLD that reflects the group views of the problem and represent it in a system of interacting feedback loops

-Map 2

(10 min)

Modeller/facilitator explained the aims of the workshop and had a refresher of concepts

(15 min)

Participants were asked to review the synthesised CLD, prioritise variables and identified overarching themes

(15 min)

Participants were asked to share additional variables that came to mind between Workshop 1 and 2, explain causal connections between the variables. Recorder documented working definitions, variable connections, and key words

(30 min)

Participants were prompted to examine the structure of the CLD, encouraged to change, add, or correct any misrepresentations of variables and loops in the model

(20 min)

Participants identified and narrated the feedback loops in the CLD. As participants reviewed the model, the facilitator/modeller revised the causal structure and shared in-real time the latest version of the CLD

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint, STICK-E)

Interlude 2: CLD synthesis—Modeller/facilitator

Activity

Aim and description

(applications used)

Output

Analysis of recordings and narratives. Causal map refinement

The recording and the map created in Workshop 2 were analysed to make sure that the variables and connections narrated and mentioned in the workshop were reflected on the map

(Workshop recording, STICK-E)

An overarching CLD created by the group

-Map 3

Workshop 3: Causal map review, validation, and action ideas – Individual meeting with participant (30 min)

Participants: Adolescent and modeller/facilitator

Activity script

Aim and description

(applications used)

Output

Model review

(15 min)

The modeller/facilitator showed the overarching CLD created by the group. Participants were prompted to validate if the refined map from Workshop 2 represented their ideas and how they meant for them to be represented

Key feedback loops were articulated, and narratives and themes were clarified

Modeller/facilitator confirmed participants’ understanding of the correspondence between model structure and system behaviour

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint, STICK-E)

A CLD revised and validated by workshop participants

-Map 4

Action ideas

(15 min)

Participants were prompted to generate a list of intervention / policy ideas targeting the causal structure of the CLD (variables, connections, rules that govern the connections, goals in the system, mindset.)

Each action included:

-A description of the action

-The place where it would impact the system map

-Identify how hard or easy it would be to implement (easy – hard)

-If successfully implemented, the level of impact it might have on the system (low – high impact)

(BlueJeans, PowerPoint, STICK-E)

A list of intervention options targeting variables, connections or rules that govern the connections, goals in the system or mindset

A description of how they might affect the system

Post- workshop: Evaluation forms

Activity

Aim and description

(applications used)

Output

Evaluation

(5 min)

This was a brief questionnaire to evaluate strengths, weaknesses of the workshops and to assess participants’ enjoyment, engagement, satisfaction, and learning outcomes

(Microsoft Forms)

An assessment of the workshops’ strengths, weaknesses, and participants’ experience in taking part in the GMB workshops