The table below generically characterizes actors at different levels in a modern society. All these actors may benefit from systematized knowledge commons. Test cases, such as on Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, UN Climate Talks and VAT compliance in ERP systems, typically involve actors at multiple levels. The level (macro, meso, micro, or pico) of a Principal1, will determine attributes of its interests (e.g., the resources for survival and growth that it must consume, produce or protect). Also behavioural constraints are determined by the level. For instance, within their jurisdictions, macro and meso-level actors should refrain from giving preferential treatment to any of their micro or pico-level "subjects". On the other hand companies compete at the micro-level and persons compete in sports contests or for job promotion. The institutional instruments that governments can use to promote their industries are constrained by global trade agreements.
| Extent | What is the area of concern and impact of initiatives? |
| Principals | Who decides? Who is responsible at this level? |
| System | What are typical interactions? |
| Design | What are typical design or development methods? How is change initiated? |
| Cases | Which cases illustrate change factors? What representative cases are there in the literature? |
| Problems | Which approaches are used to identify problem messes? |
| Outcomes / values | What outcomes are valued and produced? How are they measured? |
