February 2017 – Chris Mitchell

A very interesting and very well explained video on the Cynefin Framework.

Summary below taken from the video:

The Cynefin Framework is central to Cognitive Edge methods and tools. It allows executives to see things from new viewpoints, assimilate complex concepts, and address real-world problems and opportunities. Using the Cynefin framework can help executives sense which context they are in so that they can not only make better decisions but also avoid the problems that arise when their preferred management style causes them to make mistakes.
Cynefin, pronounced kuh-nev-in, is a Welsh word that signifies the multiple factors in our environment and our experience that influence us in ways we can never understand.

I recently attended a very interesting meetup called – “Being Agile” – Ontological perspectives on Coaching for performance. One of the points that stood out about this meetup was that sometimes in our workplaces we forget that we are human. And just the simple things, such as asking someone in your team how they are, can often get overlooked. I think this is something we can all consider; and what is our state of being and the state of those around us. For the more we understand such things the better the work place can be.

Meetup Summary:

Over the years Agile Software Development has become “the way” to deliver value to the clients. While many are reaping the benefits being agile some are struggling to make the transition. This session is designed to help the coaches, change agents and all the participants in the agile journey to explore the “being” part of the agile journey from an ontological perspective.

Ontology is a branch of philosophy focusing on study and nature of ‘being’, now this term is also widely used in social science, computer science, artificial intelligence and in many other fields.

The term is derived from Greek words, “Onto” for existence and “logia” for study, science. In general, ontology focuses on the nature being for everything for example take an apple. The existence of apple can be seen, felt and can be tasted. In the context of managing Agile teams, the session will be focusing on “way of being for people.”