The Cynefin FrameworkThe framework provides a typology of contexts that guides what sort of explanations or solutions might apply. It draws on research into complex adaptive systems theory, cognitive science, anthropology, and narrative patterns, as well as evolutionary psychology, to describe problems, situations, and systems. It "explores the relationship between man, experience, and context" and proposes new approaches to communication, decision-making, policy-making, and knowledge management in complex social environments.The Cynefin framework has five domains. The first four domains are: * Simple, in which the relationship between cause and effect is obvious to all, the approach is to Sense - Categorise - Respond and we can apply best practice. * Complicated, in which the relationship between cause and effect requires analysis or some other form of investigation and/or the application of expert knowledge, the approach is to Sense - Analyze - Respond and we can apply good practice. * Complex, in which the relationship between cause and effect can only be perceived in retrospect, but not in advance, the approach is to Probe - Sense - Respond and we can sense emergent practice. * Chaotic, in which there is no relationship between cause and effect at systems level, the approach is to Act - Sense - Respond and we can discover novel practice. The fifth domain is Disorder, which is the state of not knowing what type of causality exists, in which state people will revert to their own comfort zone in making a decision. In full use, the Cynefin framework has sub-domains, and the boundary between simple and chaotic is seen as a catastrophic one: complacency leads to failure.Cognitive EdgeDS_54f663fe-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Dave Snowden The Cynefin framework was originally developed in 1999 in the context of knowledge management and organisational strategy by Dave Snowden. It was originally a modification of Max Boisot's I-Space combined with the study of actual, as opposed to stated, management practice in IBM. By 2002, it had developed to include complex adaptive systems theory and had started to become a general strategy model.Cynthia KurtzIt was then further developed and elaborated with Cynthia Kurtz as a part of their work with the IBM Institute of Knowledge Management (IKM). Kurtz had worked with Snowden as a part of an IBM special interest group on narrative from 1999 before joining the IKM in 2001. Kurtz and others continued this work at Cognitive Edge, which had been formed by Snowden when he left IBM in 2005. IBM Institute of Knowledge ManagementMary E BooneThis period included work to extend the model to Leadership with Mary E Boone, which culminated in the HBR article referenced below._54f666d8-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857To provide a typology of contexts that guide what sort of explanations or solutions might apply._54f667d2-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857DisorderMake decisions based upon one's "own comfort zone"._54f66926-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Domain 5The fifth domain is Disorder, which is the state of not knowing what type of causality exists, in which state people will revert to their own comfort zone in making a decision._54f669f8-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Novel PracticesAct, sense, respond, and discover novel practices._54f66b42-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Domain 4Chaotic, in which there is no relationship between cause and effect at systems level, the approach is to Act - Sense - Respond and we can discover novel practice._54f66c00-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Emergent PracticesProbe, sense, and respond with emergent practices._54f66d18-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Domain 3Complex, in which the relationship between cause and effect can only be perceived in retrospect, but not in advance, the approach is to Probe - Sense - Respond and we can sense emergent practice._54f66de0-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Good PracticesSense, analyze, and respond with good practices._54f66f0c-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Domain 2Complicated, in which the relationship between cause and effect requires analysis or some other form of investigation and/or the application of expert knowledge, the approach is to Sense - Analyze - Respond and we can apply good practice._54f66fb6-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Best PracticesSense, categorize, and respond with best practices._54f6704c-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b857Domain 1Simple, in which the relationship between cause and effect is obvious to all, the approach is to Sense - Categorise - Respond and we can apply best practice._54f6710a-d78b-11e3-8b33-60de0ef3b8572014-05-09http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CynefinOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net