A Systematic Review of the Applications of Ripple Effects Mapping

Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) has emerged as a distinctive approach for capturing the intended and unintended impacts of programs and initiatives. Despite this growing interest, the literature remains fragmented and underdeveloped. We identified three key gaps: the absence of a comprehensive review of REM applications, its application within a narrow set of disciplines – primarily health and wellbeing – and wide variation in methodological rigour and reporting. These gaps limit REM’s development and perpetuate its perception as solely an evaluation tool. To address this, we conducted a systematic review of fifty-two peer-reviewed studies to examine how REM has been applied, adapted and reported. A Scopus database search was conducted in December 2024 and updated in September 2025. Findings confirm REM’s flexibility and capacity to capture both intended and unintended outcomes, amplify diverse voices, and support reflective practice. However, challenges such as participant availability, selection bias, and inconsistent reporting persist. Building on these insights, we propose four pathways for future REM development: 1) continuing REM as an evaluation method, 2) advancing it as a co-production approach, 3) conceptualising rippling as a research framework, and 4) integrating REM with complementary methodologies. Practical recommendations for transparent reporting – including session details, participant numbers, outputs analysed, and analytical approaches – are provided to enhance rigour and replicability of REM. These directions position REM as a versatile methodology capable of strengthening evaluation and research practices across diverse contexts, including those beyond evaluation.