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The Cynefin Framework in 60 minutes
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The Cynefin Framework in 60 minutes

Navigating Complexity - Mastering Decision Making with the Cynefin Framework

Jos Postma
BeWiseMedia, 2023
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Background
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

In this efficient overview, consultant Jos Postma provides a detailed guide to the Cynefin Framework and its applications across problem-solving, decision-making, product development, change and crisis management, and even team discussions. He adds his own knowledge of the Lean, Agile and Scrum approaches by describing how Cynefin can serve each as a “meta-framework” to facilitate decision-making within each strategy and improve outcomes. Postma provides context for the Cynefin Framework with real-life examples and use cases.  

Summary

Use the Cynefin Framework to assess a problem’s complexity and to respond accordingly.

The Cynefin (pronounced “ku-nev-in”) Framework helps leaders and teams understand and address different types of problems. The brainchild of Dave Snowden when he served as the director of IBM’s Institute for Knowledge Management in 1999, the Cynefin Framework categorizes problems into five domains to guide your approach to solving them:

  1. Clear (Simple or Obvious) – In this domain, you see a clear connection between cause and effect, and you can address problems using established processes or best practices.
  2. Complicated – This domain features an indirect or less-obvious relationship between cause and effect. Understanding the problem often requires a subject-matter expert’s analysis and investigation. To find solutions, analyze the situation by using a “Sense-Analyze-Respond” approach.
  3. Complex – In complex situations, you can’t perceive the relationship between cause and effect in advance, only in retrospect. These problems often arise from...

About the Author

Organizational consultant Jos Postma applies his broad experience and knowledge to Lean, Agile, Scrum and the application of the Cynefin Framework.

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