Hmm, not encountered the term before, but as a reference:-
https://www.odi.org/publications/569...luence-mapping
In terms of safety management the ‘tool’ may help identify those ‘stakeholders’ who could influence certain aspects; e.g. management, or sharp end activity. This assumes that you understand the problem to be solved, and that there is a viable solution.
One danger is that having mapped the scene, it is then taken as ‘gospel’ and not reviewed thereafter.
Tools - “all models are wrong, but some are useful”
Also, when ‘joining up the dots’, first you have to understand what constitutes a dot, what is important and why, and how this might change.
From a communication aspect, the representations are essentially aspects of situation awareness.
Perception of now, relate to history (experience), and project the future outcome. Designing safety.
Visual depiction is a powerful tool, both as a help and a hindrance.
IMHO, avoid new tools until you understand how they work and fully appreciate their limits. Stick with the old and well tried ‘hand tools’ for safety management and/or presentations.
By all means change the way of thinking about these aspects. Something I found recently -
http://synecticsworld.com/wp-content...ing-System.pdf. ignore the fancy titles and terms, consider the underlying behaviours and thinking processes.