navigating complexity london 2016

Tobias Mayer — Agile in Covent Garden, 7th July 2016

Navigating Complexity

Tobias Mayer — Agile in Covent Garden, 7th July 2016

A Hammer is not a Screwdriver

System

1. a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole

2. a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done

Ref: Oxford Dictionary

Over to YouWhat is Not a System?

There are Essentially Two Types of System

1. Mechanical 2. Organic

Mechanical Systems

Organic Systems

DiscernibleTransparentObjectiveHas finite elementsKnown end stateDeterministicEncourages statements of truth

“If this, then that”

Mechanical System

ComplexOpaqueSubjectiveHas non-finite elementsUnknown end-stateNondeterministicEncourages questions and observations

“If this, then what?”

Organic System

Characteristics of System Types

Mechanical OrganicDiscernibleTransparentObjectiveHas finite elementsKnown end stateDeterministicEncourage statements of truth — “If this, then that”

Complex OpaqueSubjectiveHas non-finite elementsUnknown end-stateNondeterministicEncourages questions and observations — “If this, then what?”

Over to YouIdentify and categorise

systems in your workplace

So what if we want to

a System? CHANGEINFLUENCEMANIPULATE CONTROL MANAGE !

DiscernibleTransparentObjectiveHas finite elementsKnown end stateDeterministicEncourages statements of truth

Mechanical System

Benefits from control

Responds to commanding leadership

Requires Experts

ComplexOpaqueSubjectiveHas non-finite elementsUnknown end-stateNondeterministicEncourages questions and observations

Organic System

Responds to guidance and nurturing

Benefits from releaseRequires artisans

Characteristics of System Types

Mechanical OrganicDiscernibleTransparentObjectiveHas finite elementsKnown end stateDeterministicStatements of truth “if this, then that”Requires experts Benefits from controlResponds to commanding leadership

Complex OpaqueSubjectiveHas non-finite elementsUnknown end-stateNondeterministicQuestions and observations “if this, then what?”Requires artisans Benefits from releaseResponds to guidance and nurturing

Over to YouAre you managing organic

systems mechanically?

Organic Systems are Complex

Always

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple… and wrong. — H.L. Mencken

We accept this…

But what about this…

Or this…

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Nurturing Complexity

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Nurturing Complexity

Requirements Definition

Division of Labor

Work Breakdown

Accumulation Complex Problem

In contrast…

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Nurturing Complexity

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Juggling Complexity

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Juggling Complexity

Complex Problem

Dreaming

Fractality

Experimentation

Oscillation

Juggling Complexity

Over to YouPick one of those ideas and

explore in your context

Let go of your old ideas — even the good ones

Thank you

@tobiasmayer | businesscraftsmanship.com

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July Workshops

Storytelling for Better Presentations— 19th July

The Language of Empathy— 21st July

Venue: Thoughtbot, 15 Long Lane, London, EC1A