Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provides analytical tools/systems and methods to quantify information flow within an information network having nodes and flow paths between pairs of said nodes. An analytical tool including detecting means configured for detecting the flow paths and map generating means configured for generating a map of the detected flow paths showing relative flow quantities passing along individual paths. The detecting means may include an interface connectable with a node and configured to log data received into and/or sent from the node. The map generating means includes a data processor for reconciling data sent from one node and received by another node to determine a network of internodal data flow paths. The data processor interfaces with an accounting system for tracking costs associated with the network by extracting costs data pertaining to each node from a GL of the accounting system.