Resources
Free tools, frameworks, and publications to support your work in evaluation, systems thinking, and navigating complexity.
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Practical tools and frameworks you can use in your own work.
The Scaling Field Guide
Three lenses and four free tools for organisations deciding whether, how, and when to scale an innovation. Includes the Companion (the evidence base) and Toolkit (four print-ready canvases): O-DEAR, Scaling Pathways, the Scaling Canvas, and the Fidelity Checker. Designed for evaluation practitioners and pilot-funded teams, and sits alongside our broader evaluation work.
View the Field GuideThe Murky Middle Canvas
A reflective practice tool for evaluators unsure of their stage of professional identity between 'emerging' and 'expert'. This tool builds off the Emergent Evaluator publication published by FPC in 2026 - check the publications section at the bottom of the page for an open access link.
Download PDFDesigning and Conducting Focus Groups
A comprehensive guide covering the full process of planning and running focus groups, both in-person and virtual. Includes practical templates for run sheets, consent forms, and technical checklists. Focus groups are one of the research methods we use regularly across our evaluation and co-design work.
Download PDFIntroduction to Qualitative Data Analysis
A practical guide to thematic analysis for researchers and evaluators. Covers working with interviews, focus groups, and surveys, plus tips on coding, developing themes, using quotes effectively, and common mistakes to avoid. A useful companion to our evaluation services.
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Problems to Possibilities Canvas
A two-part framework for systems thinking. Part 1 develops a systems map to reframe problems into patterns. Part 2 creates space for brainstorming solutions toward an optimistic new state. Ideal for workshops and design processes. See how we use similar approaches in our systems mapping work.
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Monitoring Systems Health
An introductory resource on tracking progress in complex systems. Using 'temperature checks' as a metaphor, it guides you through developing a systems map to understand influence and how key indicators can be measured. Relates to our broader systems thinking and strategy practice.
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Navigate Systems Change by Crux
A provocation: many frameworks start with setting a 'North Star', suggesting a fixed view of the future is possible. But what if we used a systems crux to help us navigate instead? An alternative approach to planning for systems change. See how we apply this thinking in strategic planning for complex systems.
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SNAP Advocacy Toolkit
Social Network Analysis and systemic advocacy in rural, regional and remote Queensland. Developed with the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership, this toolkit shows how organisations can combine SNA and systemic advocacy to promote change. Learn more about our Social Network Analysis practice.
View on TQKPPublications
Peer-reviewed articles and research from the FPC team.
, & Hammond, V. (2026). Where to Start? Participatory Systems Mapping for Place-Based Service Integration in the City of Casey Systems, 14(4), 407. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/14/4/407
, , & Boyle, S. (2026). Community-Led Funding: A Process Evaluation of Participatory Grantmaking in Practice Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 0(0), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/1035719X261436103 — Open access version
(2026). The Emergent Evaluator: Reframing the Murky Middle Between Emerging and Expert Evaluators' Identities. Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 0(0), 1-22. DOI:10.1177/1035719X261435263 — Open access version
, , , Lim-Carter, I., Snelgrove, B., Anderson, J., & Büsst, C. (2025). Redefining strength: The role of a noncontact boxing intervention in improving social connectedness, mental health and wellbeing for disengaged young men (16–25 years). International Journal of Men's Social and Community Health, 8(2), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.3138/ijmsch.2024.0012
Dissanayake, B.L., Faggian, R. & (2025). A Participatory Systems Inquiry into Land use Planning in Regional Victoria: Insights from Causal Loop Diagramming. Syst Pract Action Res 38, 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-025-09733-2
, , , & Fraser, L. (2025). Using Systems Methods for Systemic Problems: A Case Study of Poor Lawyer Wellbeing. Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 25(3), 213-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1035719X251358851 — Open access version
Erskine, K. and (2022). Conversations that count: Lessons from evaluating a men's digital mental health response during COVID-19. Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 25(1), 18-29. Access full article
All FPC resources are licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0. You may share and adapt these materials for non-commercial purposes, provided you give appropriate credit to First Person Consulting and distribute any derivative works under the same licence.
More ways to learn
Podcasts, animations, and hands-on tools to explore systems thinking and evaluation.
Podcast Library
Conversations with practitioners, researchers, and thinkers working in evaluation, systems thinking, and social change. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Browse episodes →Systems Thinking Animations
Short animations exploring the foundations of systems thinking: nested systems, resilience, resistance, and backlash in change efforts.
Watch the animations →Catalyst: A Systems Thinking Game
A card-based game designed for workshops and team settings. A hands-on way to introduce systems concepts and build shared understanding.
Find out about Catalyst →Want to work with us?
We bring the same thinking behind these resources into our consulting work across evaluation, systems thinking, research, and capability building.
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