Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Probe by Any Other Name

Posted on November 20, 2019 by

In complexity (new stuff is complex) we prefer to probe; which means to try something out that’s safe-to-fail. Knowing things are failing or succeeding relies on feedback loops; but who do we get feedback from? And what do we do … Continue reading →

Posted in cynefin, feedback, real options, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

How to run a Futurespective

Posted on September 12, 2018 by

Futurespectives, like Retrospectives, look back at the past… from the future! I find them very useful when there isn’t much to retrospect on: at the start of a project or initiative. I’ve run them for myself, for other individuals, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

On Learning and Information

Posted on May 31, 2016 by

This has been an interesting year for me. At the end of March I came out of one of the largest Agile transformations ever attempted (still going, surprisingly well), and learned way more than I ever thought possible about how … Continue reading →

Posted in learning models, scale, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Using Scenarios for Experiment Design

Posted on January 27, 2015 by

In the complex domain, cause and effect are only correlated in retrospect, and we cannot predict outcomes. We can see them and understand them in retrospect, but the complex domain is the domain of discovery and innovation. Expect the unexpected! … Continue reading →

Posted in cynefin, evil hat, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

The Hobgoblin Manifesto

Posted on January 18, 2014 by

For Chris, the most Puckish person I know and who I am proud to call my friend. A Hobgoblin is mischevous from birth We never mean to harm, but to disrupt, To muddle up the stasis of the Earth That … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

An open letter to Bob Marshall

Posted on January 18, 2014 by

Dear Bob, We’ve had our differences, mostly around a particular set of tweets you sent out about the Pask award in 2010. I was respectful enough to address those with you face-to-face. You refused to retract them, particularly the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Disorder, or, How I Got a Black Eye

Posted on November 18, 2013 by

In the Cynefin framework, the Disorder domain is the one in the middle. It’s the state of not knowing what kind of causality exists. Over on the right we have the predictable domains of Simple and Complicated, and on the … Continue reading →

Posted in complexity, cynefin, evil hat, real options, Uncategorized | Leave a comment