# How does it work?

Kumu works by making it easy to create a visual representation of a network or system. It is a web-based platform that allows shared access so that teams can easily collaborate.

## Examples

Here's a few examples of what's possible with Kumu:

**Creating a system map to better understand how our democracy works**

![Hewlett Foundation's The Madison Initiative](https://1181816445-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkXSW1nEf49ISqGxYuRfS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-10c8150ac96581d705dcba73b3742066f425b9b0%2Fhewlett-foundation.jpg?alt=media)

**Mapping a network to identify key influencers and gaps**

![DST Innovation Lab](https://1181816445-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkXSW1nEf49ISqGxYuRfS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b8751f8db72b4864b5bac5cef065d12cff8c5333%2Fdst-innovation-lab.jpg?alt=media)

**Investigating relationships in cases of possible corruption**

![Rob Ford](https://1181816445-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkXSW1nEf49ISqGxYuRfS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5584672e91751889ced28f8c55d09e8d72615187%2Frob-ford.jpg?alt=media)

You can build a map directly within Kumu's UI by hand or you can [import data](https://docs.kumu.io/guides/import) from a spreadsheet.