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Cynefin Framework - Explained

What is the Cynefin Framework?

Written by Jason Gordon

Updated at May 11th, 2022

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Table of Contents

What is the Cynefin Framework?What are Decision-Making Contexts? 

What is the Cynefin Framework?

The Cynefin framework, proposed by Snowden and Boone (2007) is the application of contingency thinking to decision-making. 

Adept decision-makers should learn how to:

  • Identify the context properly
  • Change their behavior and decisions to match that context, and
  • Prepare their organizations to understand and deal with the different contexts.

What are Decision-Making Contexts? 

The researchers distinguish between 5 decision-making contexts, each requiring its own decision-making style:

Simple - The context has a clear causes and effect.

Recommended Decision-making style: Ensure proper processes are in place, delegate. Apply the best practice.

Decision model: Sense ⇒ Categorize ⇒ Respond.

Complicated - The context has a cause and effect relationships discoverable, but not apparent to everyone.

Recommended Decision-making style: Involve (teams of) experts, analyze. Apply a good practice.

Decision model: Sense ⇒ Analyze ⇒ Respond.

Complex - The context is marked by a lack of causality, but there is emergence and flux.

Recommended Decision-making style: Create safe experiments, wait for patterns to emerge. Then amplify or dampen/drop. Apply the emergent practice.

Decision model: Probe ⇒ Sense ⇒ Respond.

Chaotic - The context is marked by turbulence, crisis

Recommended Decision-making style: Take immediate action, communicate clear and directly. Apply a novel practice.

Decision model: Act ⇒ Sense ⇒ Respond

Disorder - In the context, is it unclear or not known which one of the above contexts is prevailing.

Recommended Decision-making style: Break down into the other 4 realms.

cynefin context decision making

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