Sense from uncertainty
Sensemaking with data in complex systems.
- Level
- Bitesize
- Learning time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Where
- Complexity, decisions and innovation
- Price
- £39
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Certificate of Completion
Overview and Outcomes.
Overview
Data describes the past, yet leaders must act in a future that cannot simply be forecast. That tension, sharpest in conditions of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, links two parts. The first introduces Karl Weick's seven properties of sensemaking and the basics of complex adaptive systems, with the 2010 Flash Crash showing why hunting for a single root cause can fail. The second sets sensemaking beside the conventional gather, analyse, decide model, using Dave Snowden's Cynefin framework to show what data can do in each domain and Jonathan Rosenhead's trumpet of uncertainty to show why keeping good options open has value.
What you'll develop
In this Bitesize, you will develop the ability to:
- Explain how Weick's sensemaking reverses the conventional analyse, decide, act sequence, and identify when careful analysis still fits better.
- Distinguish prediction problems from sensemaking problems, and explain how sensemaking differs from the gather, analyse, decide model.
- Describe the four basic properties of a complex adaptive system and use them to explain why hunting for a single root cause can fail.
- Use the Cynefin domains to judge what data can do in a situation, treating data as feedback rather than proof where things are complex.
- Apply three sensemaking habits, including narrating out loud and holding your current story loosely, to a live situation in your own work.
- Apply Rosenhead's trumpet of uncertainty and robustness analysis to favour options that keep good future choices open.
The Modules.
1 hour 15 minutes of learning.
- 05Sensemaking in Complex SystemsIn complex conditions you often act your way to clarity rather than analysing your way there. This module introduces Karl Weick's sensemaking and its seven properties, especially the enactive idea that a team's story shapes what happens next, alongside the basics of complex adaptive systems: agents, feedback, emergence and non-linearity. The 2010 Flash Crash shows why hunting for a single root cause can fail, and three habits support learning forward.39 min
- 09Sensemaking with Data under UncertaintyData describes the past, yet leaders must decide about futures that cannot simply be forecast. This module sets sensemaking beside the conventional gather, analyse, decide model, drawing on Karl Weick's seven properties of sensemaking and Dave Snowden's Cynefin framework to show what data can do in each domain. It then uses Jonathan Rosenhead's trumpet of uncertainty and robustness analysis to show why keeping good options open has value.39 min