Cynefin Framework 
The Cynefin framework is a conceptual framework used to aid decision-making. The framework draws on research into systems theory, complexity theory, network theory and learning theories.
This is a community curated list of useful Cynefin framework related resources. Contributions welcome! Read the contribution guidelines.
Contents
Quick Start
- Cynefin framework introduction - An introduction to the Cynefin framework with a brief explanation of its origin and evolution and a discussion of its architecture and function by Dave Snowden (12:12).
- Cynefin for Everyone! - A quick introduction to Cynefin by Liz Keogh.
Community
- Cynefin Community on Slack - Follow @AnthroComplex on Twitter to request an invite.
- #Cynefin - Join the conversation.
Reading
- Cynefin framework - Wikipedia entry.
- Glossary
- Dave Snowden - Dave Snowden's blog.
- Codefin - Applying Cynefin to software development, methodology, architecture and design, testing practices, and more.
Videos
- Cynefin Community - YouTube channel.
- Complexity, Chaos, and COVID-19 Webinar - Applying Cynefin and complexity thinking to navigate the COVID-19 crisis with Dave Snowden, Alicia Juarrero, Ann Pendleton-Jullian, and Valdis Krebs. Hosted by Sonja Blignaut.
Podcasts
- Cynefin: Sense-Making in a Time of Turmoil - How can you and your agile team make sense of the world around you and adjust accordingly? Mar 26, 2020.
Articles
Blog posts and other interesting examples of the Cynefin framework. Ordered by date, newest first.
- Black Elephants in our Safety Systems - COVID-19 is a black elephant. A black elephant is a cross between a black swan and the proverbial elephant in the room. Apr 6, 2020.
- A tour around the latest Cynefin iteration - Mar 23, 2020.
- Complexity in the time of COVID-19 - Thinking this through with Cynefin and constraints. Mar 16, 2020.
- Cynefin St David's Day 2020 (1 of 5) - The changes from Obvious to Clear and Disordered to A/C. Mar 1, 2020.
- Constraints and Cynefin - Obvious situations have fixed constraints, complicated situations governing constraints, complex situations enabling constraints, and chaotic situations no constraints. Dec 9, 2019.
- Embracing Complexity in Organisations - Cynefin, VUCA skills, rich interconnectivity. Nov 26, 2019.
- Navigating Complex Marketing Decisions With The Cynefin Framework - Nov 13, 2019.
- Cynefin & perception - Aug 24, 2019.
- Synderesis in Cynefin - Jan 20, 2018.
- Using Cynefin to make sense of preparing for the future of work - Nov 22, 2017.
- Cynefin and the Business Analyst / Product Owner - Sept 2, 2014.
- The Origins of Cynefin - Part 2 - Jul 8, 2010.
- The Origins of Cynefin - Part 1 - Mar 25, 2010.
- A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making - by David J. Snowden and Mary E. Boone. Nov, 2007.
Research Papers
- Cynefin: Uncertainty, Small Worlds and Scenarios - S. French. Jul 31, 2013.
- Cynefin, Statistics and Decision Analysis - S. French. Jan 30, 2012.
- Bramble Bushes in a Thicket - Narrative and the intangibles of learning networks. C.F. Kurtz and D.J. Snowden. Oct 18, 2006.
- Changing Homeland Security: Shape Patterns, Not Programs - C. Bellavita. Oct 1, 2006.
- Stories from the frontier (7.3-4) - Archetypes and archetype extraction. D. Snowden. Dec 31, 2005.
- The new dynamics of strategy: Sense-making in a complex and complicated world - C.F. Kurtz, D.J. Snowden. Apr 24, 2003.
- Complex acts of knowing: paradox and descriptive self‐awareness - D. Snowden, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 100-111. May 1, 2002.
Courses
- Cynefin Foundations Online - Cynefin and Complexity: managing effectively in uncertainty.
Workshops
- Ritual Dissent - Enhance proposals, stories, ideas or whatever by subjecting them to ritualised dissent (challenge) or assent (positive alternatives).
- Cynefin Lego Game - A game to let you experience four of the five domains of the Cynefin framework. April 29, 2020.
- Cynefin simulation - Create aha feeling in 20 minutes on how to plan and deliver in complex situations. May 2, 2017.
Meetups
License
To the extent possible under law, the Cynefin Community has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.
Cynefin is a trademark of Cognitive Edge Ptd Ltd. The 'Cynefin Community' is not affiliated to Cognitive Edge or the Cynefin Centre.