Systems exploration workshops: Using a virtual group model building approach to advance public health systems change

Abstract

Creating well-functioning public health systems is complex and requires collaboration across often fragmented parts of the system. Group Model Building (GMB) is an evidence-based method that engages diverse partners in understanding complexity and identifying opportunities for systems change. Through a structured sequence of scripted activities, GMB supports the development of shared insights into the dynamics that shape outcomes in complex, change-resistant systems. The National Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Workforce Development Center supports state and jurisdictional MCH professionals through training, coaching, collaborative learning, and consultation. As part of a year-long cohort experience, the MCH Workforce Development Center facilitates a virtual two-day Systems Exploration Workshop to implement GMB activities with teams led by state MCH agencies to explore systemic challenges ranging from improving care coordination to advancing health equity. This paper presents a structured walkthrough of the virtual GMB Systems Exploration Workshop to encourage replication and adaptation in other settings. Evaluation results from 74 participants across 11 states indicate that the workshop fosters a shared understanding of focal systems. Teams reported an enhanced ability to collectively analyze their primary challenges, develop shared mental models of their key determinants, and prioritize impactful interventions. This virtual GMB Systems Exploration Workshop is a valuable approach to accelerate collaborative decision-making through a structured process that facilitates inclusion of diverse perspectives. This workshop offers a practical, systems-informed approach for public health teams seeking to build collective insight, strengthen early-stage strategic planning, and align evaluation efforts with the complexity of the systems in which they are undertaken.