This presentation offers a consistent metaphor to help the assimilation of the Cynefin Framework and its components consisting of Simple, Complicated, Complex, Chaos and Disorder domains. Understanding the Framework should make it easier to outline a suitable strategy for each domain. Instituting mental order by expressing what is central heralds the most creative works. This is in accordance with the findings that many valuable innovations are brought about through an ‘order emerging from chaos’ type of principle, without any specific problem to solve being outlined initially. For this reason, aspects of complexity theory have been looked at in addition to the motivational factors that drive innovation where it has not been asked for specifically (http://www.bath.ac.uk/idmrc/themes/projects/cbdo/DT-Project-TRIZComplex.pdf).

1. A Creative Metaphor
for Complexity
Ali Anani, PhD

2. Many people are confused
with complexity and shy off
from it

3. Strangely, complexity arises
from SIMPLE rules. However;
people are finding it difficult
to grasp

4. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
One easy way of
explaining complexity
is through the use
of Cynefin Framework

5. I believe one reason for
experiencing the difficulty in
understanding Cynefin is the
use of different examples to
explain its domains

6. How about finding varieties
of the same example to
explain it?

7. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
We know which
key fits which lock

8. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
We know which
key fits which lock
We know we have the right
keys and locks, but we have
to inspect and try to fit each
key to its lock

9. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
We know which
key fits which lock
We know we have the right
keys and locks, but we have
to inspect and try to fit each
key to its lock
We aren’t sure which which
for a lock, but we watch out
for patterns to match them

10. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
We know which
key fits which lock
We know we have the right
keys and locks, but we have
to inspect and try to fit each
key to its lock
We aren’t sure which which
for a lock, but we watch out
for patterns to match them
We have the wrong keys
for the locks

11. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
You have the right
keys to the lock.
The keys are
procedures and
best practices
You have to analyze to find
which key for each lock
There are repeating patterns
for keys and locks which you
have to find
You have keys and
locks that don’t match

12. Imagine if you were in the
chaos domain.
You have the wrong keys
and locks
What to do?

13. You have to move out of this
situation soonest; else shall
go out of control

14. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
The two options available
are either to move to
simple or complex
The two options available
are either to move to
simple or complex

15. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
We follow this path
if we find simple
rules embedded in
chaos
The two options available
are either to move to
simple or complex

16. Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
Mostly, we have to
follow this path
The two options available
are either to move to
simple or complex
We follow this path
if we find simple
rules embedded in
chaos

17. We need to identify repeating pattern through:
Probe-sense- Respond
Complex Complicated
SimpleChaos
Mostly, we have to
follow this path
The two options available
are either to move to
simple or complex
We follow this path
if we find simple
rules embedded in
chaos

18. Just imagine how best you would identify
patterns or new paths so that you fall in the
complex domain

19. Do what ants do
They diverge to look for new
sources of food and then
converge once a new path
has been identified

20. Look for new ideas till you
identify a new path or
pattern to help you find the
right key for the right lock

21. I hope this presentation
helps you find the right key
for the right lock