Abstract for: A Participatory Systems Approach for Designing Implementation Strategies and Mechanisms

Building on implementation science’s strong theoretical foundations, this work advances efforts to translate evidence into practice by integrating systems science methods. While frameworks like CFIR and EPIS offer conceptual guidance, few practical examples demonstrate how to design and visualize implementation strategies and mechanisms within complex systems using system dynamics. Using Participatory Implementation Systems Mapping (PISM), we engaged community partners to identify and model strategies and mechanisms that enhance evidence adoption in coalitions. Through iterative sessions, causal loop diagrams and stock and flow diagrams were developed to translate stakeholder insights into systems models. Strategies were aligned with ERIC taxonomy and specified into measurable components for simulation modeling. The team co-designed three key implementation strategies—facilitating knowledge exchange, promoting network weaving, and informing local leaders—each decomposed into actionable elements and modeled using system dynamics. Stock and flow diagrams revealed how strategies influence knowledge diffusion, coalition decision-making, and evidence adoption. The final model included quantified feedback loops, enabling scenario testing of strategy impacts. This participatory systems approach bridges qualitative insights with dynamic modeling to enhance strategy design and evaluation. Visualizing implementation mechanisms clarified feedback relationships and helped align strategies with coalition decision-making. This method supports adaptive, equity-oriented implementation planning and offers a replicable framework for operationalizing complex strategies in public health systems.