What Does This Make Possible?
Social Network Webbing is a structure for mapping relationships from a core working group to potential supporters on the periphery. This uncovers hidden resources within your existing relationships, helping us tap informal connections and make progress without complicated plans or major investments. By making it easy for participants to see their role in the network and notice gaps, this structure encourages individual initiative. It embodies LS Principle #1, Include and Unleash Everyone.
Structural Elements — Min Specs
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Structuring Invitation
"Let's get ready to expand our circle of influence and build our superpowered dream team. We'll use a template to identify roles, name key players who can contribute to our success, and create a plan to engage them."
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Space and Materials
An open wall with space to move around, large paper, and sticky notes in eight colors. Bold markers. [Visual collaboration space with sticky notes.]
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Participation Distribution
Roles include host [tech host] and participants. There is no minimum group size. Everyone in the core group is invited and has an equal opportunity to contribute.
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Group Configuration
1-2-4-All [1-3-All]
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Steps and Time Allocation
- Intro: Share the structuring invitation. (1 min.)
- Identify Roles: Using 1-2-4-All [1-3-All], individuals generate a list of all key roles in the group's work and then consolidate their lists in pairs and quartets [trilos]. A few people share their consolidated lists in plenary. (10 min.)
- Create a Legend: Create a legend of role types in the network and assign a sticky note color to each. (3 min.)
- Map the Core Network: Participants write their names on sticky notes and place them in the "Core" area at the center of the large paper. (2 min.)
- Expand the Network: Participants add people they know to the "Immediate Network." (10 min.)
- Extend the Network: Participants add people who are missing or who could also be included to the "Periphery." (10 min.)
- Annotate and Draw Connections: Participants add symbols [and/or emojis] and connecting lines to indicate the following: Who knows whom? Who has influence and expertise? Who knows someone who could make a positive difference in your work? (5 min.)
- Identify New Connections: The group looks for opportunities to connect people, called *closing triangles*, and indicate new connections with symbols and lines. Everyone commits to using the network to invite, connect, and weave new people into their work; work around blockages; and boost progress. (15 min.)
Tips & Pitfalls
- Keep the focus both on informal relationships and the org chart.
- Don't include more than 8 functions in the legend—it gets too confusing.
- Emphasize that being on the periphery is not negative!
- People on the periphery can provide vital information and skills that are missing from the core.
- Write names, not just job titles—it makes the map more personal and concrete.
- Think big when identifying new contacts; think small when weaving connections.
Riffs & Variations
- Invite participants to draw their own personal network webs before moving to a group vision.
- Ask deeper questions to understand how new ideas spread (e.g., Who takes ideas across groups and up the hierarchy? Who do you go to with a tender idea or a hunch for a prototype?).
- Revisit the map frequently to add new people and chart growth patterns.
- Use network mapping software for more detail and metrics.
Practical Applications
- Engage a hospital's core team in preventing infections.
- Help coaches spread lean methods among frontline staff.
- Expand the use of a new technology by gathering early adopters to map their networks.
- Support middle managers in a financial institution to develop prototypes and new products.
- Help regional policy leaders translate initiatives into concrete action.
Online & Hybrid Facilitation
This structure works online with no major adjustments. Online visual tools can generate network maps, but start small to avoid being overwhelmed by data.
Combine with Other Structures
Sources & License
Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless. Dig deeper with June Holley's network weaving practices: https://networkweaver.com/resources/
Based on the work of Keith McCandless and Nancy White, The Liberating Structures Fieldbook (2026), CC BY-SA 4.0.
