Complexity heuristics used in the design process
Dave Snowden's Cynefin Framework includes heuristics for designing interventions in complex systems, such as providing data before the framework, addressing problems indirectly (obliquity), gamifying challenges, and applying exaptive practices.
THE IDEA
Complexity heuristics used in the design process
Over the years, as Dave Snowden continued to develop the Cynefin Framework, he offered more and more heuristics to guide the design of interventions in complex systems. I have found these heuristics useful for designing embodied exercises. Here are the ones I find most instructive:
- Data precedes the Framework. Give people data first, it helps them create the Framework later. Each exercise provides participants with experiences that become data as they learn about the nature of a problem. Teaching the Framework after the exercises then becomes a partial sense-making exercise. They reflect on what they learned and use it to explore and understand the Framework.
- Obliquity. Complex problems are best addressed indirectly. Teaching Cynefin benefits from this approach as well. Leading with experience invites people to play first and discover the practical reality that different systems require different kinds of interventions. When I teach Cynefin without this indirect grounding, it seems harder for people to understand the value of the Framework.
- Gamify and challenge. When you provide a challenge and gamify an experience, people will focus more on the task and less on what is happening. This drives people towards experience and away from sense-making, allowing them to better gather insights about the nature of different problems.
- Exaptive practice. Taking lessons from one context and translating them into another context is a key aspect of complexity. Teaching Cynefin through embodied exercises is an example of an exaptive practice.
When to use it
Designing a training program for cross-functional teams to understand different problem domains.
Developing a product roadmap for a new technology in an uncertain market using obliquity and exaptive practice.
Creating an onboarding process for new hires that uses experiential learning before introducing formal frameworks.
Facilitating a retrospective meeting where the team uses gamified exercises to uncover root causes of issues in a complex project.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Data Precedes Framework in a Workshop
In a team workshop on organizational change, the facilitator first runs a simulation where team members experience a chaotic situation. After the exercise, they reflect on their actions and then the facilitator introduces the Cynefin Framework to categorize the problem domain. This allows participants to use their own experience as data to understand the framework.
Obliquity in Product Strategy
A product manager facing a complex market decides not to directly optimize for profit but instead focuses on building strong customer relationships and user feedback loops. By indirectly addressing the profit goal through customer satisfaction, the product succeeds in a competitive environment.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you apply the principle of 'data precedes the framework' in a learning or problem-solving context you are involved in?
Think of a complex problem you are currently facing. How might taking an oblique (indirect) approach help you address it more effectively?
Can you identify a situation where gamifying a challenge could drive deeper insights rather than distracting from the goal?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Cynefin - Weaving Sense-Making into the Fabric of Our World ED02 (Dave Snowden Sonja Blignaut Zhen Goh)