The Cynefin Framework
Dave Snowden · 1999
"You cannot manage a complex system the same way you manage a complicated one. You must adapt your decision-making to the domain you are in."
The Cynefin framework helps leaders figure out what kind of problem they are facing so they can make better decisions. It divides situations into five domains: Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, and Confusion. If you treat a chaotic situation like a clear one, you will fail.
In the Clear domain, cause and effect are obvious—you follow best practices. In the Complicated domain, cause and effect require expert analysis—you use good practices. In the Complex domain (like markets or culture), cause and effect are only clear in hindsight—you must probe, sense, and respond through safe-to-fail experiments. In the Chaotic domain, there is no relationship between cause and effect—you must act immediately to establish order.
According to the Cynefin Framework, what is the correct approach to decision-making in a 'Complex' domain?
Read more about the topic
The explanation above is written with AI assistance. These are the originals — go to them to check it.
- Cynefin frameworkUntools
Base Rates
"Anchor to what usually happens before adjusting for what makes this case special."