An ecomap is a visual tool that sums up key relationships, relying on bubbles and textured arrows to represent individuals and communicate the nature of certain bonds.

While ecomaps trace their origin to physiological space, where they have been used to understand social environments, these diagrams can provide valuable insights for counselors, project managers, teachers, writers, and more.

What does an ecomap tell you? Whether you’re embarking on a new short story or trying to get a handle on your team’s culture, ecomaps can clue you into what relationships might benefit from some support and which bonds appear to be on solid footing. Guided by a roadmap, you can navigate a connection and relationships with newfound clarity.

To make an ecomap, simply tap into our free, customizable template. From there, choose the figure at the center diagram—this might be you, your client, a family member, or the villain in your screenplay—and write their name in the middle bubble. Next, add surrounding bubbles to represent the different kinds of individuals who comprise the social eco-system.

Use a range of arrows to connect the outer bubbles to the center: solid lines for positive relationships, dotted lines for neutral relationships, and jagged lines for stressful relationships. Include a key on the side for easy decoding.

When considering who to include in your ecomap, be as thorough as possible on who or what you want to create a stronger relationship with—loop in the people, places, and activities that make up your social environment. For example, an example of an ecomap might include family members, neighbors, professional connections, your place of work, and hobbies and interests.