Summary: The Cynefin Framework in 60 minutes: Navigating Complexity – Mastering Decision Making with the Cynefin Framework by Jos Postma

• Dive into the world of decision-making with Jos Postma’s guide to the Cynefin Framework, and learn how to navigate complexity with ease.
• Enhance your strategic thinking and tackle complex challenges head-on—continue reading to master the art of decision-making with the Cynefin Framework.

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.

Take-Aways

• Use the Cynefin Framework to assess a problem’s complexity and to respond accordingly.
• Study the problem to determine its domain.
• The Cynefin Framework offers practical insights for strategic planning, risk management and decision-making.
• Use Cynefin to inform product development.
• Use Cynefin to guide crisis and change management.
• Use Cynefin when making decisions or facilitating team discussions.
• Use Cynefin in combination with other frameworks.
• Cynefin helps you clarify the nature of the problems you face and derive solutions.

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 dynamic systems, such as human behavior. In this domain, follow a “Probe-Sense-Respond” approach. Experiment to understand the situation and how to influence it.
4. Chaotic – In this domain, you most likely won’t perceive any relationship between cause and effect. Take fast action to stabilize the situation, following an “Act-Sense-Respond” approach. Be decisive to get the situation under control, thus buying time to assess your next steps.
5. Apex (or Disorder) – This represents problems or scenarios that you haven’t yet categorized into one of the other four domains. When a situation lands in the disorder domain, your primary task as a leader is to identify which of the other four domains the problem fits.

The Cynefin Framework recognizes that different problems require different solutions. It offers a particular solution-finding or problem-solving process for five levels of dilemmas.

“Recognizing that the Cynefin domains are not static categories but dynamic states that continuously interact is an essential aspect of the Cynefin Framework.”

Once leaders and teams categorize a problem’s domain correctly, they can resolve it by applying the strategies that are most likely to prove effective in that domain. The Cynefin Framework applies across business management, IT, public administration and other fields for making sense of complicated situations and determining the best course of action. And you can use it in tandem with Scrum, Agile, Lean and other management strategies.

Study the problem to determine its domain.

First, determine the type of problem or challenge you face. For example, if you are experiencing a sales decline due to familiar reasons such as seasonal changes, you’re facing a Clear domain issue, and you can use standard best practices. However, if the decline is due to new, disruptive competitors, you probably have a Complex domain problem, requiring you to experiment, learn and adjust your strategy.

Put Cynefin into action using these broad steps:

1. Domain identification in Cynefin Framework – Diagnose which domain your problem fits by observing how it works and understanding its cause-effect relationships. If you see an obvious cause-effect scenario, for example, your problem falls into the Clear domain.
2. Selecting actions – After determining the domain, select the most suitable approach. For instance, for the Clear domain, you would apply best practices, but for the Complex domain, you would pursue a more exploratory method.
3. Adaptation – After you act, continuously monitor and adjust your strategy on the basis of the evolving situation.

In unpredictable environments, such as the Complex and Chaotic domains, embrace an iterative approach of probing, sensing and responding. Probing means testing small changes and observing reactions, such as when a tech company beta tests a new feature. Sensing involves analyzing feedback from tests, interpreting reactions and identifying patterns.

“The very essence of the Cynefin Framework is acknowledging and embracing complexity.”

Responding means acting on the insights you’ve gained. For example, if a new feature gets positive feedback, roll it out to everyone. If not, refine or discard it. This cycle helps you navigate and make decisions in ambiguous situations, adjusting your strategies as you learn from your outcomes.

The Cynefin Framework offers practical insights for strategic planning, risk management and decision-making.

For risk management, Cynefin aids in identifying an issue’s level of uncertainty and suggests responses, such as swift action in Chaotic scenarios or iterative responses in Complex ones. Rather than following best practices in decision-making, Cynefin prompts you first to understand the problem’s nature, so you can determine the right approach.

“The journey of mastering Cynefin is as complex as the problems it helps solve.”

To understand the Cynefin Framework’s real-world applicability in addressing modern business challenges, consider these use histories:

• A famous software company faced issues with complex project dynamics and outdated management methods. Using the Cynefin Framework, its analysts identified its situation as fitting the Complex domain, and moved to a flexible, iterative approach, leading to better project outcomes and happier clients.
• An international professional services firm used the Cynefin Framework to classify diverse client problems, tailoring their consulting methods based on the identified domains appropriate to each problem. This led to increased client satisfaction.
• Amid a major health crisis, a healthcare provider employed the Cynefin Framework for effective crisis management, initially addressing the immediate Disorder analytically before adopting a Complex-domain strategy.

Use Cynefin to inform product development.

Agile and Lean product development tactics focus on iterative growth, user-centric design and minimal waste. The Cynefin Framework complements these approaches by helping teams understand the nature of their challenges. In Agile, use the Cynefin Framework to clarify the context of an issue and enhance your organization’s adaptability and responsiveness. In the Complex domain, Agile principles of experimentation align well with Cynefin’s approach. And, like Lean, the Cynefin Framework seeks to deliver maximum value with minimal waste.

Using Cynefin, Lean teams can better tailor their methods, avoiding mistakes such as imposing rigid processes in situations that demand flexibility. The Cynefin Framework serves as an essential guide at each step, from shaping decisions in the early stages of product conception to assisting in risk mitigation when you launch a product.

The Cynefin Framework aids Agile teams by classifying problems. This works hand in hand with Agile approaches that emphasize iterative and adaptable development. Cynefin also aligns with Agile in the Complex domain, where it promotes experimentation and iterative learning.

Lean principles aim to deliver maximum value with minimal waste. But a blanket application might not always work. For example, with Cynefin’s guidance in a Clear domain situation, you can apply Lean directly. However, in Complex scenarios, you would apply a more adaptive strategy to foster creativity and innovation.

Use Cynefin to guide crisis and change management.

Crises, characterized by urgency and ambiguity, often fall into the Chaotic domain and demand immediate stabilization. Post-stabilization, crisis situations shift to the Complex domain, allowing for adaptive solutions through probing, sensing and responding.

“[Change] management often falls into the Complex domain of the Cynefin Framework…leaders can take an approach of guided emergence, allowing the new order to emerge from interactions within the system rather than trying to impose it from above.”

For example, an organization facing a market downturn can first cut costs to gain stability and then explore new opportunities iteratively. Similarly, instead of demanding set outcomes during mergers, the Cynefin Framework suggests letting new structures arise from the combined entities to foster innovation and reduce resistance.

Public policy demands an iterative approach, given the complexity of issues and the cascading potential consequences of decisions. A city might pilot test a traffic system, for example, and adjust it according to the results, thus refining its traffic policy. Nonprofits responding to a disaster act swiftly in Chaotic situations, and then make a transition to adaptive, longer-term strategies.

The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic provides a worthwhile example. Governments acted immediately to contain the spread of the virus while continuously adapting to the evolving crisis by experimenting with masks, social distancing, closures and vaccine development. The Cynefin Framework’s versatility proved invaluable across a range of sectors from government to nonprofits.

Use Cynefin when making decisions or facilitating team discussions.

Begin team discussions by categorizing the issue at hand within the Cynefin Framework’s domains. This will allow you to align the team’s strategies to the nature of the problem.

The Cynefin Framework fosters a mutual understanding of a problem’s complexity, helping a team set realistic expectations and minimize conflicts. It promotes diverse perspectives – especially in Complicated and Complex domains – that lead to innovative solutions. Recognizing when problems are shifting between domains enables teams to adjust their strategies in the midst of problem-solving.

Post-decision, the Cynefin Framework becomes a tool for evaluating the accuracy of problem categorization and the effectiveness of your strategy. Conduct regular sessions to reflect on the problem. Use insightful questions to ensure continuous learning.

Empower your teams by providing the Cynefin Framework to help them classify problems and generate solutions. A deep understanding of Cynefin’s domains equips team members to match problems with their appropriate solutions. Guide your team with probing questions tailored to each domain, and use visual tools, such as mind maps, for clarity.

Use Cynefin in combination with other frameworks.

Incorporating the Cynefin Framework with Lean, Agile and Scrum results in a more context-sensitive approach that optimizes operational and strategic decisions. While Lean focuses on efficiency within Clear and Complicated domains, Cynefin can highlight moves into Complex or Chaotic areas, leading to strategic changes. Agile, which proves especially suitable for the Complex domain, can leverage Cynefin to distinguish between Simple, Complicated or Chaotic challenges. Similarly, Scrum thrives on complexity and, with Cynefin’s insights, it can adapt as situations change.

“An intriguing aspect of the Cynefin Framework is its inherent flexibility, which allows it to be combined with other popular frameworks like Lean, Agile and Scrum, enhancing their effectiveness in dealing with complex issues.”

Rather than replacing these methodologies, Cynefin acts as a meta-framework, guiding practitioners as they recognize and adapt to a problem’s complexity.

For example, a global IT firm blended Agile with Cynefin to adapt to changes in its market, thus enhancing its competitive standing. A medical organization used Lean to operate more efficiently but turned to Cynefin to discern when situations grew Complex or Chaotic, leading to notable patient care advancements. Similarly, a software company combined Scrum with Cynefin to better navigate changing customer needs, thereby increasing its clients’ satisfaction.

Cynefin helps you clarify the nature of the problems you face and derive solutions.

Cynefin’s classification system for diverse problem types helps you navigate today’s intricate landscape. Instead of viewing complexity as a barrier, regard it as an opportunity for growth and exploration. As challenges grow more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA), Cynefin helps you find and deploy the right contextual approach.

Cynefin champions a flexible approach to complex problems, emphasizing exploration to discern emerging patterns on the basis of its Probe-Sense-Respond strategy. Cynefin underscores continual learning, analysis, awareness and adaptation as it facilitates an iterative approach.

“As you embark on your Cynefin journey, bear in mind that the ultimate goal is not about rigidly classifying problems or finding quick-fix solutions, but rather developing a deeper understanding of the nature of problems and responding in the most appropriate, effective manner.”

Building your organization’s understanding of Cynefin might present challenges – but perseverance, an open mind-set and practice will bring you mastery. Cynefin evolves through use. Sharing your experiences with others magnifies its benefits while deepening your comprehension.

About the Author

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

Genres

Business, Management, Leadership, Decision-Making, Strategy, Organizational Development, Complexity Science, Cognitive Psychology, Self-Help, Professional Development

Review

“The Cynefin Framework in 60 minutes: Navigating Complexity – Mastering Decision Making with the Cynefin Framework” by Jos Postma is a concise and insightful guide that introduces readers to the Cynefin Framework, a decision-making tool that helps navigate complex situations with greater clarity and confidence. The book is grounded in complexity science and cognitive psychology, providing a sense-making model that categorizes problems into five domains: Simple, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, and Disorder.

Jos Postma explains how the framework can be used by leaders, managers, and individuals to identify the context of problems and respond effectively. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of different challenges and applying appropriate strategies to address them. It serves as a valuable resource for those looking to improve their strategic thinking, crisis management, and overall decision-making skills.

The writing style is accessible, making the concepts easy to grasp for readers who may be new to the Cynefin Framework. The book’s practical approach, coupled with real-world examples, allows readers to apply the framework to their own complex scenarios. It’s a quick read, yet it packs a significant amount of information into its pages, making it an ideal starting point for mastering the Cynefin Framework.