The Story of CSI

The founding of Concept Systems, Inc.

We started CSI when Bill Trochim realized that a tool for engaging individuals in building their own answers to social issues was sadly lacking in the social research environment. At the same time, Mary Kane, frustrated by bad strategic planning and program management approaches for nonprofits, began to link proven processes to innovations that honor the voices of the populations of interest.

The combined methodology, supported by new software called The Concept System, became a go-to process for government agencies, academic researchers and “do-gooders” of all types to improve their processes and achieve actionable results.

Innovations and achievements at CSI

CSI continues to increase groupwisdom’s innovations and benefits for users; equally important is our focused attention to the changing landscapes in which our clients strive to improve their communities.

The software that began as The Concept System in 1993 continued to evolve as new technology was available, and as new research needs surfaced. groupwisdom™ is the flagship product of CSI, unique in social research, that allows the entire community or group inquiry process to be conducted remotely, asynchronously, and inclusively for any organization or community. The software, like the shell of a ship, carries the entire inquiry process forward. CSI has continued to make sure that the tools are easy to use, accessible, and productive for any user.

CSI has trained over 1,000 individuals in using GCM methodology across more than 20 research fields. CSI has been the prime contractor for over 300 individual projects in government, non-profit, academic and community environments, and we continue to serve as the world’s leading expert in GCM practice.

In addition to the 35 published articles that CSI staff have authored or co-authored, two key texts are part of CSI’s learning library for its users: the 2007 volume Concept Mapping for Planning and Evaluation (Kane and Trochim), and 2018’s Conversations About Group Concept Mapping (Kane and Rosas).

Partnerships are central to CSI’s success. We collaborate with clients to explore methodological advances and have partnered with organizations like Mathematica, Cornell’s Yang-Tan Institute, Compass Evaluation, and individual consultants on large projects.

To expand CSI’s reach and responsiveness, we launched the CSI Consulting Group in 2022, enlisting national experts to enhance our social research and GCM expertise, resulting in greater depth and stronger outcomes for our clients.

The future

As the second quarter-century approaches, CSI looks forward to expanding our technology, partnering with experts in fields where our strengths lie, and transferring expert GCM knowledge and well-honed methodologies to a new generation of “do-gooders”; as we say, CSI prides itself on Helping Do-Gooders Do Better!