SODA – Strategic Options Development and Analysis via Cognitive Mapping

Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) is a facilitated, qualitative method for structuring complex organisational problems. Developed by Colin Eden in 1988, it uses cognitive maps — directed graphs of causal constructs — to capture and integrate the subjective views of multiple stakeholders. SODA is most valuable when decision makers face ill-defined, wicked problems where shared understanding must be built before any quantitative analysis can begin.