Social Network Analysis

We map the relationships between people and organisations within a system to reveal how information flows, where influence sits, and where there are opportunities to strengthen collaboration.

With over 25 SNA projects delivered across government, health, emergency management, and community sectors, we bring sector-leading depth in applying SNA to real-world policy and program challenges.

Explore how SNA could help your work

Services  /  Systems Thinking & Strategy  /  Social Network Analysis

Understanding connections within complex systems

Social Network Analysis is a research method that maps and measures the relationships between actors in a system. Rather than looking at organisations or programs in isolation, SNA makes visible the patterns of connection, collaboration, and information flow that shape how a system actually operates.

We use SNA to answer practical questions: Which organisations are well-connected and which are isolated? Where are the gaps in referral pathways? How has a network changed since a program was introduced? Is information reaching the people who need it? These insights help our clients make better decisions about where to invest, who to partner with, and how to strengthen the systems they work within.

What makes our SNA practice distinctive

We've delivered more than 25 SNA projects since 2014, making us one of Australia's most experienced SNA consulting teams in the government and community sectors. Our approach goes beyond producing network maps. We design SNA processes that are participatory, combining quantitative network metrics with qualitative interviews and workshops to build a rich picture of how relationships function in practice.

We also design our SNA work to be repeatable, so clients can track how their networks evolve over time. Several of our projects have included baseline and follow-up measurements, giving organisations genuine evidence of whether their efforts to strengthen collaboration are working.

SNA as part of broader systems work

SNA is one of several systems methods we use. Depending on the challenge, we combine it with systems mapping, causal loop diagrams, or System Effects to give a more complete picture of how a system operates. Our broader systems capability means we can help clients move from network insights to strategy and action.

How we use social network analysis

SNA is a flexible method. We apply it in different ways depending on the questions our clients need to answer.

Mapping partnership networks

Identifying who is connected to whom, the strength and nature of those relationships, and where key actors sit within a network. This gives clients a clear picture of their collaboration landscape.

Measuring network change over time

Designing repeatable SNA processes with baseline and follow-up rounds, so organisations can track whether their programs and partnerships are actually strengthening the networks they aim to influence.

Informing strategy and investment

Using network data to guide decisions about where to target funding, who to bring together, and how to structure partnerships for greater collective impact.

Identifying structural gaps

Revealing where there are missing connections, isolated actors, or bottlenecks in information flow. This is particularly valuable for service systems and referral pathways.

Evaluating collaborative programs

Using SNA as part of program evaluation to assess whether initiatives designed to build collaboration are achieving their intended network outcomes.

Building knowledge broker evidence

Demonstrating the value of knowledge brokers, intermediaries, and boundary-spanning roles by mapping the networks they create and sustain between research, policy, and practice.

Sectors where we've applied SNA

Health & Wellbeing Emergency Management Environment & Climate Employment Community Development Local Government Philanthropy State & Federal Government Sport & Recreation

SNA capability building and training

Alongside our project work, we invest in building SNA capability across the sector. We've delivered SNA training and mentoring for a range of organisations, from universities running research programs through to government departments looking to apply SNA within their own evaluation and policy work.

We regularly deliver the "Practising Systems: Introduction to Social Network Analysis" workshop through the Australian Evaluation Society, and have adapted versions for university research teams and government agencies. Our training covers the foundations of SNA, practical guidance on survey design and data collection, and hands-on analysis using network visualisation tools.

We also provide ongoing mentoring for teams applying SNA in their own contexts, supporting them through study design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

For CFA and DELWP, we delivered SNA training to 50 participants from local and state organisations. A full-day workshop introduced the methods, followed by small-group coaching as participants applied network mapping to their own emergency management projects.

Australian Evaluation Society Griffith University University of Melbourne Charles Darwin University Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

25+

SNA projects delivered

Across government, health, emergency management, and community sectors since 2014

SNA projects

A selection of our social network analysis work across different sectors and applications.

Featured Project

Climate Systems Hub Knowledge Broker Network SNA

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We mapped the Climate Systems Hub’s Knowledge Broker network across all eight states and territories, identifying 924 individuals and 1,881 relationships. The analysis examined how the Brokers connect climate scientists with government decision-makers, the value of those connections, and the risks of relying on a small team to maintain them. Interactive maps and network findings supported planning for the network’s future.

Knowledge brokeringClimate adaptationFederal government

Featured Project

ReadyMaroondah Community Resilience SNA

Maroondah City Council

We mapped 296 organisations and 415 relationships to help ReadyMaroondah strengthen connections across the community sector. The analysis identified organisations that connect different sectors, important relationships needing attention, and groups with fewer connections. Council received an interactive network map and practical recommendations, with a baseline for tracking change over time.

Community resilienceLocal governmentRelationship quality

Featured Project

Elevate Diverse Voices Network SNA

Minderoo Foundation

We mapped the relationships connecting Minderoo’s Elevate Diverse Voices members with the wider early-years sector. The analysis showed how members share knowledge and collaborate, and identified 51 shared partner organisations that could support deeper engagement. Interactive maps of the overall network and individual members’ connections provided practical resources for partnership planning.

Early yearsPhilanthropyPartnership networks

Monash University

Safe Infant Sleep Information Networks

We are mapping the personal networks of South Asian mothers in Australia to understand how family, peers and other information sources shape engagement with safe infant sleep guidance. The ongoing study uses an anonymous online survey to inform more culturally responsive education.

Maternal and infant healthPersonal networksOngoing research

Bass Coast Shire Council

Bass Coast Resilience Road Map SNA

We mapped relationships between community organisations and groups, including trust, leadership, connection and advocacy. An interactive Shire-wide map and views for Waterline, Hinterland and Cowes help Council identify community assets that support disaster preparedness and recovery.

Community resilienceLocal governmentCommunity assets

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Workforce Australia Employment Services SNA

Mapping the social networks of Workforce Australia Employment Services in selected regions to inform a broader evaluation of service appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency.

Employment Federal government Service networks

Paul Ramsay Foundation

Mt Druitt Place-Based Services SNA

A highly localised SNA of services and organisations in the north of Mt Druitt, piloting the use of network analysis to explore a community context before targeted investment.

Place-based Philanthropy Disadvantage

Vicsport

Sector and Partnership Network Mapping

We worked with Vicsport and its partners to map the reach of its sport and active recreation network. A collaborative workshop and review of membership records informed an interactive map that Vicsport can maintain and use to guide partnerships, planning and program delivery.

Sport and recreationPartnershipsStrategic planning

Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership

Learning Partnership for Social Network Analysis

We delivered a 12-month learning partnership to develop and pilot an SNA methodology for assessing partnerships across Queensland’s child and youth sector. Workshops and hands-on training helped the TQKP team apply the approach and build the capability to conduct future assessments independently.

Child wellbeing Place-based Capacity building

View the SNAP Toolkit

Explore more of our systems work

SNA is one part of our broader systems capability. See how we combine it with other methods.

Systems Thinking & Strategy Our full systems capability overview

Systems Mapping System Effects, causal loops & participatory mapping

Strategic Planning for Complex Systems Embedding systems thinking in strategy & planning

Interested in what SNA could reveal about your network?

Whether you're exploring SNA for the first time or looking to build on previous network mapping, we'd welcome a conversation about how it could support your work.

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Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Climate Systems Hub Knowledge Broker Network SNA

Knowledge brokeringClimate adaptationFederal government

The Climate Systems Hub’s Knowledge Brokers connect climate scientists with government decision-makers across Australia. We designed a repeatable social network analysis to examine those connections and assess the Brokers’ contribution to sharing and applying climate knowledge.

Working with the Knowledge Broker team, we consolidated contact data, designed a Qualtrics survey and produced interactive maps in Kumu. The survey received 202 responses, including 181 respondents who provided network data. The resulting map covered 924 individuals, 1,881 relationships and 220 organisations across all eight states and territories.

The five Knowledge Brokers accounted for 85% of connections in the mapped network. This showed their central role in connecting researchers and decision-makers, while also identifying a vulnerability if that capacity is lost. Survey respondents valued accessible explanations of climate science, an efficient point of contact and the opportunity to share knowledge in both directions.

We delivered interactive maps, network metrics and a final report to inform strategic planning and decisions about the knowledge brokering model. The methodology provides a basis for repeating the analysis and examining how the network changes over time.

Methods & Approach

Social network analysisOnline surveyContact data analysisInteractive network mapsNetwork metrics

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Maroondah City Council

ReadyMaroondah Community Resilience SNA

Community resilienceLocal governmentRelationship quality

Maroondah City Council engaged us to map the relationships between organisations across the municipality as part of ReadyMaroondah. The project aimed to identify where connections could be strengthened to support community resilience.

A survey in February and March 2026 received 63 responses, describing a network of 296 organisations and 415 relationships. The network included community groups, health services, government, education, businesses, and sport and recreation organisations. Community organisations helped connect different sectors, while Council was the most widely recognised partner.

Most relationships were valued and functioning well. We also identified 45 relationships rated very or critically important but performing only moderately well. The findings gave Council a basis for focusing support on those relationships and connecting more peripheral organisations to the wider network.

Completed in May 2026, the project delivered a final report and an interactive Kumu map. Recommendations addressed how to use established network hubs, support priority relationships and respond to the volunteer and resourcing constraints affecting organisations’ capacity to connect. Repeating the SNA will allow Council to track change against this baseline.

Methods & Approach

Social network analysisCommunity organisation surveyRelationship strength and importanceInteractive network mapping

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Minderoo Foundation

Elevate Diverse Voices Network SNA

Early yearsPhilanthropyPartnership networks

Elevate Diverse Voices is a national network of organisations seeking systemic change for children and families. Minderoo Foundation engaged us to examine relationships between member organisations and their wider networks, and how these connections support early-years systems change.

We facilitated in-person workshops and provided follow-up support to collect relational data. The analysis examined network composition and structure, including the different roles organisations play in connecting members to government, research, not-for-profit organisations and other sectors.

Members were closely connected, with 36 of the 45 possible member-to-member connections present. Each also brought distinct relationships to the wider network. We identified 51 shared partners named independently by at least two members, offering a practical starting point for deeper engagement across the early-years sector.

Completed in June 2026, the project delivered an interactive network map with views of different network measures, alongside maps for individual members. These resources help members identify organisations that connect different parts of the network and consider where to strengthen collaboration.

Methods & Approach

Social network analysisParticipatory workshopsNetwork metricsInteractive network mapsIndividual member maps