The Cynefin Framework

Most high school science textbooks teach that scientists approach problems only one way (hence calling it, 'THE Scientific Method'). Even those who continue on to complete advanced degrees in science and engineering often graduate still holding the view that science is only done by carefully designed experiments.

Discovery based innovation and science, the types that lead to disruption in innovation and science, do not typically happen that way. I have found Cynefin to be a useful framework to help think about the type of innovation needed to address the problem at hand.

When confronted with a problem our first impulse is to jump in and try to solve it, relying primarily on our own personality preferences and previous problem-solving experiences (which may or may not be relevant). We tend to adopt a "one size fits all", "my tried-and-true way is best" approach to problem solving. But can one method of thinking work for anything from a well defined system with only one variable to a "Hmmm...that's interesting...we have no idea how that happened..." sort of day in lab?

The Cynefin Framework developed by Dave Snowden is a tool designed help us recognize these differences. How well do we understand the cause and effect relationships of this system? The answer to that question will determine which of several scientific methods we should employ. While using the wrong methods can lead to frustration, choosing the right methods enables us to ask the best questions to find the answers we need.