My Notes on Cynefin Framework

These are my notes on Cynefin Framework. It is a very powerful framework. You can use it for any causal relationship modelling, decision making being one of them.

• Categorization models:
• Framework precedes data
• Sense-making models:
• Data proceeds framework

• Three basic systems
• Ordered Systems
• Complex Systems
• Chaotic Systems
• +
• New category: Disorder
• Divide order into two
• Simple
• Complicated

• Simple
• Cause and effect relationships exist, are predictable and repeatable
• Self-evident to any reasonable person
• We apply best practice
• Decision model: sense-categorize-respond (best practices)
• Complicated
• There is a relationship between cause and effect, there is a right answer but are not self-evident,
• You need to apply an analytical method and sense-analyze response
• Or call experts to make expertise
• Decision model: good practices here, no best practices
• Force to one practice and call it best practice make people pissed off
• Complex
• No causality
• Light constraints on agents
• Decision model: probe-sense-response
• If experiment succeeds we amplify, if not dump it
• We get emergent orders, novel practices
• Chaotic
• Deliberately ==> innovation
• Accidentally, need to stabilise the model quickly
• Decision model: act-sense-response
• Any practice is novel
• Dependent on which space you are, you need to think differently
• Disorder
• Not knowing which domain you are in
• We interpret on a wrong basis

• Dangers of getting used to each (e.g. in past life)
• Simple
• All problems as failure of process
• Complicated
• Problems are failure to give you enough time and resource
• Complex
• Is to get lots of different people with lots of different backgrounds
• Chaotic
• Absolute command to what they are told

• How to use
• Figure out which you are
• And use the proper tool
• Simple / Chaotic Cliff Edge - Beware
• Start things are simple, and you believe in
• You actively move to complacent zone that is you are falling over the edge to chaotic and the recovery is very expensive
• Suggestion is to be in the complex/complicated zone, Simple is highly vulnerable to a violent journey
• Cynefin:
• Is a decision framework, analytical framework
• Recognises causal differences between systems
• Appropriate method for the appropriate domain