For a long time now we have been saying that the world is growing increasingly more complex, turbulent, uncertain, or more unpredictable, or [any reasonably similar synonym]. Most probably this is correct in a general sense. In this session, we will summarize what complexity is and also introduce a framework - The Cynefin Framework by David Snowden - as a way to understand how complex is different from complicated.

A) A brief introduction to Complexity

Soapbox - Beginning with complexity

B) A brief introduction to the Cynefin Framework

Snowden's Cynefin framework describes the different ways we should understand and relate to different situations (or as he calls it, ontological states). The model can be illustrated like this.

Cynifin picture.png

Here you can listen to his presentation of his Cynefin framework.

Snowden started a company working with his framework. You can read more about this here: https://thecynefin.co/about-us/about-cynefin-framework/

Snowden and his fellow author Boone, published an article briefly outlining the framework in HBR/Magazine: A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making (David J. Snowden & Mary E. Boone, 2007).