Cynefin sense-making framework categorizing problems as Simple, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Confused to select the right approach. Use when unsure how to tackle a problem.
Analyze a situation through the Cynefin framework to understand what type of problem it is and choose the appropriate response.
Determine which Cynefin domain the problem belongs to, then apply the appropriate response approach. Be willing to recognize that parts of a problem may span multiple domains.
Situation: [What we're analyzing]
Characteristics Check
| Characteristic | Yes/No/Maybe | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cause and effect are clear and predictable | ||
| Experts can analyze and determine the answer | ||
| Outcomes can only be understood in hindsight | ||
| The situation is unstable/in crisis |
| We genuinely don't know what kind of problem this is |
Primary Domain: [Simple/Complicated/Complex/Chaotic/Confused]
Why this domain? [Reasoning for the classification]
Sense → Categorize → Respond
Best Practice to Apply: [The established approach]
Sense → Analyze → Respond
Experts Needed: [Who has the expertise?] Analysis Required: [What to investigate?]
Probe → Sense → Respond
Safe-to-Fail Experiments:
| Probe | What We'd Learn | Amplify if... | Dampen if... |
|---|---|---|---|
| [experiment] | [insight] | [success indicators] | [failure indicators] |
Key Mindset: Don't try to predict. Try things, observe, adapt.
Act → Sense → Respond
Immediate Stabilization: [What action do we take right now?]
Break down, then categorize
| Sub-problem | Likely Domain | Why |
|---|---|---|
| [sub-problem] | [domain] | [reasoning] |
| Transition | Warning Signs | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Simple → Chaotic | Complacency | Challenge assumptions |
| Complicated → Complex | Analysis not converging | Try probes instead |
| Complex → Chaotic | Loss of control | Stabilize fast |
Given this is a [DOMAIN] problem, we should:
$ARGUMENTS