making better decisions - 10. Cynefin framework - what kind of environment are you deciding in?
Dealing with Difficult People
This email is one in a series on decision-making. The first one is an introduction to the series.
10. Cynefin framework - what kind of environment are you deciding in?
This was one of my favourite frameworks, and we ended up studying it twice in different subjects.
Pronounced “ker-NEV-inn”.
Understanding what kind of environment you are operating in makes a big difference as to the decision-making approach you will choose.
There are many versions of the Cynefin diagram. Here is a sketch of one.
Looking at from the bottom right quadrant, anti clockwise, we start with Simple, then move up to Complicated, then left to Complex, and then down again to Chaotic.
In the centre of the diagram is Disorder, the most difficult context to work in.
###Simple / Obvious
In a simple environment, everything is fairly predictable. It's possible to use best practice and achieve good results. The relationship between cause and effect is obvious to everyone. The order of steps in making sense of the environment is sense, categorise, and then respond.
###Complicated
In a complicated environment, you need to talk to an expert about the relationship between cause and effect. The situation still follows predictable rules, but they require more analysis to identify. The order of steps here is sense, analyse, respond. While best practice is not possible, it's still possible to have good practice.
###Complex
In a complex environment, the relationship between cause and effect only appears in hindsight. The steps to follow are probe, sense, respond. The approach with the best possible result is emergent practice, and it may only be revealed after iterations.
###Chaotic
When the environment is chaotic, there is no apparent relationship between cause and effect. In working out the way forward, the first step is to act, then to sense, and then to respond. There is so little information available that starting with action is the best way to explore novel practice.
###Disordered
In a disordered environment, it's not yet clear which of the four situations is in play, so taking some time to gather more information about the situation is the best starting point.
--
The Cynefin framework provides guidelines for understanding more about the environment in which decisions are made. This can help ensure the strategy you choose will not be undermined by external forces that do not appear to be part of the decision.
--
Have you heard of this framework before? Hit reply and let me know.