Are you trying to solve the right kind of problem?
Dealing with Difficult People
six. How to identify the complexity of problem you’re solving.
This week I went to a two-day training course (that’s three months absence from the halls of study, so not too bad for me), this time on governance for social impact.
We looked at many concepts in the course, but one that we had previously covered in the MBA as well was the cynefin framework (pronounced kuh-ne-vin) a video that started to sink in more on third viewing (thanks to my long suffering family for watching it with me).
There are four problem types: in increasing complexity (based on their 2008 naming conventions), simple, complicated, complex, and chaotic.
The former two are simple enough that it’s possible to have best practice or good practice. The others are too confusing; no good explanation exists for the interplay of different forces, so it’s necessary to experiment before working out which solution will succeed. In a chaotic environment, there are factors outside of the system that will significantly change the outcome.
If you have picked the wrong framework for the type of problem, you will be bringing the wrong level of resources to solving the problem. Worse, if you keep treating a problem as simple, and the surrounding environment changes, you could “fall off the cliff” and end up in a chaotic environment.
Have you thought about a problem you’re stuck on, and realised it’s more (or less) complicated than you first thought? Hit reply and let me know
David
Work. Study. Dad.