In this latest in our series on strategic design in complex times, we look at the ways in which design methods, tools, and thinking can shape systems and channel our intentions. This is strategic design. For more information, check out the earlier posts on complexity, strategy and introductions to strategic design. The aim is to
Strategic Design: Bridging Complexity, Planning, & Evaluation for Impact Read More »
Leadership in complexity comes down to three words that, if lived by, can transform organziations and navigate uncertainty with grace. These are: humilty, inquiry and agility. Strategy involves leadership. Knowing what to do when there is uncertainty is among the great challenges that complexity poses. There aren’t ‘best practices’ that enable tried and true results,
Leadership for Complexity: Humility, Inquiry, and Agility Read More »
There are many myths about what makes a strategy and it’s role in dealing with complex (and non-complex) situations. Understanding strategy is how we navigate and journey through complexity; thus, it’s important to look at what it is and isn’t. To begin our series on strategic design and leadership in complex times, I referred to
From Complexity to Action: The Role of Strategy Read More »
In the previous post, we looked at what complexity is and left with a metaphor of sailing to describe the ways in which we can understand complexity. In this post, we look at how to navigate complexity and ask: what does that mean for what we do and how we do it? Complexity is a
Navigating Complexity: Using Strategic Design Read More »
Complexity is a word we hear more and more. Understanding what it means in practice can help us navigate it with greater confidence. What do we mean we talk about complexity? It’s everywhere living systems reside, yet it’s also a deeply misunderstood or even mysterious subject. There is an entire field of study that looks
What We Talk About When We Talk About Complexity Read More »
There is an entire field of practice loosely referred to as “systems change” that guides how to effect substantive social, environmental, and political changes in our world. The methods and tools are varied, and the means of evaluating system change are numerous. Still, the general thrust of these approaches is designed to unlock social innovation,
From Systems Change to Transformation Read More »
Space shapes systems, so systems change requires we understand space. In this post, I’m going to use two contexts to illustrate why and how settings affect so much of our lives and why any systems change must account for them if we are to be successful. Take two examples: education, and healthcare. In an educational
Design, Systems and The Settings That Influence Us Read More »
Most of us have not seen a rhinoceros in the wild. We might have seen a rhino at the zoo and maybe on television. Only a few of us who live outside Africa have been fortunate enought to see one of these beautiful creatures in its natural habitat. Imagine we’d never seen a rhinoceros in
Rhinoceros In The Wild: System Models and Reality Read More »
Earth Day allows us to reflect upon the opportunities and challenges healthcare faces when dealing with its environmental responsibilities. Will it rise to meet them? This is Earth Day. It’s when we consider the health of the planet alongside our life on this planet. For healthcare, an environment of its own, the opportunity to bring
Healthcare’s Earth Day Challenge Read More »
When undertaking strategic planning for organizations operating in the complex space of health and human services, how do you account for creating meaningful ways to learn and adapt? Developmental Evaluation is how. Developmental Evaluation is a means to provide evaluative insight to guide the evolution of your program, but did you know it can be
Developmental Evaluation and Strategy Read More »
