This is an approach to bridging the gap between the generalist thinking of decision makers and the specialism of modellers by concentrating on the preliminary issue conceptualisation stage of modeling.

It is a new type of visual facilitation using hexagons as a flexible mapping technique to bridge the gap between thoughts and models.

A typical application is with project and decision teams.  Creative thinking techniques, including the use of cognitive colour-coding, are also incorporated. These techniques are supported by the use of magnetic hardware and specially designed mapping softwares.

Hexagon mapping (also refereed to as complexity mapping) is a   discipline through which a variety of specialist decision support methods can be made more user friendly.

For a full account see Hexagons for Systems Thinking by Anthony Hodgson first published in the European Journal of System Dynamics

Hexagon mapping is a development from research and development in structural communication carried by Tony Hodgson and his colleagues under the direction of John G. Bennett .