Systems thinking, complexity, and systems science
Among the great lies that people tell is that they can tame complexity through technical means, quickly, when the truth is much slower than that. Hot takes, tips and tricks, and simplistic models of AI, data, governance, and decision-making aren’t going to solve complexity. Complexity won’t be solved. Some complex problems might get solved, but […]
Complexity, Speed and Storytelling Read More »
Classroom complexity is a term creeping into the educational policy landscape. With it, we’re seeing many ideas about solutions when what we might need are different ways of thinking. If you have been to school as a teacher, parent, or student recently, you’ll know that the classroom isn’t the same place it once was. As
Classroom Complexity Read More »
The myriad layers of social, political, economic, and climate change are thrusting upon us new ways to learn, to live and to do both with complexity. These are days where even the most unique phrases developed for them seem insufficient. Entanglements, confusion, and uncertainty are all words that are being used describe what the world
To Live and Learn With Complexity Read More »
Massive signals everywhere that are noise on their own. AI and our new automated culture of writing and production is making it hard to know what is signal, what is noise.
Weakness of Strong Signals Read More »
In a recent podcast, historian Margaret McMillan discusses the complexities of today’s world, observing that historical patterns do not neatly apply to current events. Despite her extensive knowledge, she finds it challenging to provide clear insights. This underscores the overwhelming nature of contemporary issues, further complicated by misinformation and faux wisdom, highlighting the need for wayfinding rather than certainty.
When Complexity Exceeds Wisdom Read More »
The Fall Into Strategy series is both a play on the season and a metaphor for how we convert intention into action with a plan, by design. Today, we look at the bigger picture of complexity and its role in strategic design. More specifically, we’re going to look at three words: fumbling, stumbling, and forward.
Fumbling and Stumbling Forward: Strategy and Complexity Read More »
Strategy is the means of connecting our aspirations and resources to our actions and outcomes. Strategy is something we design with our organization’s goals, values, assets, people, and customers/clients/patients/partners in mind. Strategic design is the means and positive impact is the end. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be walking through the art and science of
Fall Into Strategy: The Practice of Making Strategy Real Read More »
Separating out strategy, evaluation and service design in human services comes from old thinking that produces few benefits for the organization and make-work for consultants. There is a better way. We do a lot of silly things out of habit. Somewhere along the route toward the establishment of a professional management culture, we started separating
Strategic Design and Consultants Read More »
This final post on Strategic Design in the series outlines the integration of theory and practice, emphasizing its adaptability to complex environments. It describes critical steps including context setting, engagement, and envisioning futures. Strategic design fosters effective decision-making and learning, positioning organizations to thrive amid uncertainty through collaborative and informed approaches.
Setting the Table: The Making of Strategy Read More »
As human systems grow increasingly complex, the need for learning and adaptation intensifies. Design-driven evaluation (DDE) merges design thinking with evaluation to enhance accountability and impact. By embedding evaluation within programs and prioritizing user feedback, DDE fosters continuous learning, enabling organizations to effectively navigate change and drive sustainable innovation.
Design-Driven Evaluation and Strategic Design Read More »
