Cynefin Framework

Cynefin Framework
Image: Tom@thomasbcox.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cynefin (pronounced ku-nev-in) Framework is a tool for situational leadership1 that helps Agile teams identify the nature of the challenges they face as Clear (formerly, Simple), Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Confusion (formerly, Disordered) and choose appropriate actions.2 By doing so, it prevents teams from misapplying processes, which is a common cause of inefficiency.

Scenario

Developing a New Mobile Banking App

An Agile team is tasked with building a mobile app that allows users to view balances, transfer funds, and manage their accounts. Different parts of the project fall into different Cynefin domains.

How Cynefin Impacts the Team:

  1. Clear Domain
    • Challenge: Creating standard UI components (e.g., login screen).
    • Cynefin Guidance: Apply best practices and standard processes.
    • Impact on the Team:
      • The team uses pre-built design libraries and coding standards for efficiency.
      • Routine tasks are added to a Kanban board and executed with minimal discussion.
  2. Complicated Domain
    • Challenge: Integrating with multiple banking APIs that have extensive documentation but require expertise.
    • Cynefin Guidance: Analyze, consult experts, and follow good practices.
    • Impact on the Team:
      • The team assigns specialists to research and implement API integrations.
      • Agile ceremonies like Sprint Planning & Backlog Refinement include detailed discussions on potential challenges and solutions.
  3. Complex Domain
    • Challenge: Designing a feature to improve customer engagement, such as personalized spending insights.
    • Cynefin Guidance: Experiment and iterate to discover solutions.
    • Impact on the Team:
      • The team builds a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test user interest in the feature.
      • Feedback from user testing drives iterative improvements during Sprints.
      • Retrospectives focus on what worked and what didn't, adapting the approach as needed.
  4. Chaotic Domain
    • Challenge: A critical security vulnerability is discovered during the app's beta phase.
    • Cynefin Guidance: Act immediately to stabilize, then assess and respond.
    • Impact on the Team:
      • The team shifts to a crisis management mode, suspending regular Sprint work.
      • They patch the vulnerability immediately and implement long-term security measures afterward.
      • A post-incident review is conducted to prevent similar issues in the future.
  5. Confusion Domain
    • Challenge: A lack of agreement on how to approach a major pivot requested by stakeholders.
    • Cynefin Guidance: Break the situation into smaller parts and categorize each into the appropriate domain.
    • Impact on the Team:
      • The team conducts a workshop to break the problem into manageable chunks.
      • TThey identify which parts are simple, complicated, or complex and assign tasks accordingly.
      • This reduces confusion and aligns the team on actionable next step.


Benefits for Agile Teams:

  1. Context-Appropriate Processes:
    • The framework ensures teams don't over-complicate simple tasks or oversimplify complex problems.
  2. Enhanced Adaptability:
    • Teams dynamically adjust their approach based on the nature of the challenge.
  3. Improved Focus:
    • By breaking down problems into domains, teams avoid wasting time on irrelevant details.
  4. Collaboration and Clarity:
    • It fosters shared understanding among team members, helping them navigate uncertainty.


Summary

Using the Cynefin Framework, Agile teams can make better decisions, adapt to different situations, and deliver value more effectively. Whether the task is routine, requires expertise, or involves experimentation, the framework helps teams align their processes to the complexity of the problem.