Introduction

Group model building (GMB) is an important social process in system dynamics (SD) for creating a shared understanding of complex systems and providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange information and ideas (Antunes et al., 2015; Sedlacko et al., 2014). Gathering stakeholders around the table to discuss a contentious issue can provide important insights for SD modeling (Hovmand, 2014; Rouwette and Vennix, 2006; Van den Belt and Dietz, 2004; Vennix, 1996; Vennix et al., 1992).

While online meeting platforms and collaborative tools have made great leaps forward in recent years, systems mapping has largely continued with in‐person facilitation. And with good reason: in‐person facilitation has proven to be an effective way to generate discussions among stakeholders (Stave, 2010). Many in the SD community have long seen the potential in using interactive platforms for GMB with stakeholder participation (e.g. Kenzie et al., 2018). Yet, to our knowledge, there are no documented efforts of a fully online GMB workshop. In our case, the COVID‐19 virus and sudden change in travel and work patterns meant that an anticipated GMB workshop could not be executed as planned. Instead of canceling or postponing the workshop, we used this disruption as an opportunity to test the potential of running GMB processes online.

One key advantage of online GMB is that it can make room for more—and more diverse stakeholders—at the table, no matter where they may be in the world. This can improve access and participation, although groups with strong power dynamics may require skillful facilitation. Online GMB can also greatly reduce the need for travel, which could reduce the amount of time and money needed for a workshop in addition to reducing carbon footprints. The lack of travel logistics can also mean that workshops could be planned with less advance notice and perhaps be more responsive to current issues.

In order to move an interactive GMB workshop online, we needed to:

• Find an online architecture that supports divergent activities (e.g. drawing graphs) in a collaborative and interactive way;
• Adapt standard GMB scripts to online interactions; and
• Develop and define roles within our group to support the various challenges we could face before, during, and after the workshop.

Online GMB, with stakeholders sitting alone in front of their computer screens, is fundamentally different from in‐person GMB workshops, and there are limitations to how much one can substitute for the other. We found, however, that we could recreate many of the strengths of an in‐person GMB workshop in an online environment.

Our positive initial experiences with online GMB indicate that it's worthwhile to build on and further develop methodologies for online stakeholder engagement. We propose that online GMB, a practice with its own set of strengths and weaknesses, should be further developed as its own set of methodologies parallel to traditional (in‐person) GMB. This research note includes a description of our experiences and lessons learned as well as areas for further development.

中文翻译：

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关于将小组模型构建脚本改编为在线研讨会的思考

介绍

群组模型建立（GMB）是系统动力学（SD）中的重要社交过程，用于建立对复杂系统的共享理解并为利益相关者提供一个交流信息和思想的平台（Antunes等，2015； Sedlacko等，2014）。）。将利益相关者聚集在桌旁讨论有争议的问题可以为SD建模提供重要的见解（Hovmand，2014 ; Rouwette和Vennix，2006 ; Van den Belt and Dietz，2004 ; Vennix，1996 ; Vennix等，1992）。

近年来，在线会议平台和协作工具取得了长足的进步，而在亲自协助下，系统映射在很大程度上得以继续。并且有充分的理由：亲自协助是一种在利益相关者之间引发讨论的有效方法（Stave，2010年）。SD社区中的许多人早已看到了在利益相关者参与下为GMB使用交互式平台的潜力（例如Kenzie等人，2018年））。然而，据我们所知，没有完整的GMB在线研讨会的文献记载。在我们的案例中，COVID-19病毒以及旅行和工作方式的突然变化意味着预期的GMB研讨会无法按计划执行。我们没有取消或推迟研讨会，而是利用这次中断作为机会来测试在线运行GMB流程的潜力。

在线GMB的主要优势之一是，无论他们身在世界何处，它都可以为更多的利益相关者和更多的利益相关者腾出空间。尽管拥有强大动力的团队可能需要熟练的协助，但这可以改善访问和参与。在线GMB还可以大大减少旅行需求，除了减少碳足迹以外，还可以减少研讨会所需的时间和金钱。缺乏旅行后勤还可能意味着可以在不提前通知的情况下计划研讨会，并且可能对当前问题有更快的反应。

为了使交互式GMB研讨会在线进行，我们需要：

• 寻找一种在线架构，以协作和互动的方式支持各种活动（例如，绘图图）；
• 使标准GMB脚本适应在线交互；和
• 在小组内发展和定义角色，以支持研讨会之前，期间和之后可能面临的各种挑战。

利益相关者独自坐在计算机屏幕前的在线GMB与现场GMB研讨会有着根本的不同，并且一个人可以替代另一个人的GMB研讨会受到限制。但是，我们发现，我们可以在在线环境中重现GMB亲自研讨会的许多优势。

我们在在线GMB方面的积极初步经验表明，值得建立和进一步发展在线利益相关者参与的方法。我们建议，应该将在线GMB作为一种具有自己的优缺点的做法，进一步发展为与传统（亲自）GMB相似的一套方法。该研究笔记包括对我们的经验教训的描述，以及需要进一步发展的领域。