The provided sources describe the Cynefin framework, a conceptual tool created by Dave Snowden to help leaders and organizations navigate diverse decision-making environments. Unlike traditional management models that assume a predictable world, Cynefin categorizes contexts into ordered domains (clear and complicated) and unordered domains (complex and chaotic). Each domain requires a distinct leadership approach, such as sensing and responding when cause-and-effect is obvious, or probing and experimenting when patterns are emergent and unpredictable. The texts also highlight narrative research and distributed ethnography as essential methods for gathering high volumes of human “micro-narratives” to detect real-time shifts in social systems. By emphasizing sense-making over categorization, the framework encourages practitioners to recognize contextual boundaries and avoid the dangers of complacent, entrained thinking. Ultimately, these sources argue that managing modern uncertainty requires a diverse range of strategies tailored to the specific complexity of a given situation.
Sources
• 044_ Making Sense of Human Systems an interview with Professor Dave Snowden.pdf — Making Sense of Human Systems: An interview with Professor Dave Snowden (Transcript), The HumanCurrent, 2016. • 100816 Narrative-Research_Snowden FINAL.pdf — Narrative Research, David Snowden, Cognitive Edge, 2010. • 100825 Origins of Cynefin.pdf — The Origins of Cynefin, Dave Snowden, Cognitive Edge, 2010. • 2002 10 JIT KM part 2.pdf — Just in Time Knowledge Management (Part 2), Dave Snowden, 2002. • Browning - The use of narrative to understand and respond to complexity a comparative analysis of the Cynefin and Weickian models - 2.pdf — The use of narrative to understand and respond to complexity: A comparative analysis of the Cynefin and Weickian models, Larry Davis Browning and Thierry Boudès, E:CO, 2005. • Cybernetics Notes with Snowden.pdf — Cybernetics Notes with Snowden (Handwritten Notes). • Cynefin - separated by a common language stacey zimmerman and snowden.pdf — Separated by a common language?, Dave Snowden, The Cynefin Co, 2019. • Cynefin Paper report.pdf — Introduction: Cynefin and the Sense Making Framework, Adventures with Agile (AWA). • Cynefin applying an understanding of complexity to medicine.pdf — Cynefin: applying an understanding of complexity to medicine. • Cynefin statistics and decision analysis.pdf — Cynefin, statistics and decision analysis, Simon French, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2013. DOI: 10.1057/jors.2012.23 • Cynefin vector theory of change.pdf — Vector Theory of Change, The Cynefin Centre, 2021. • Cynefin-book-SAMPLE_Ed01.pdf — Cynefin: Weaving Sense-Making into the Fabric of Our World, Dave Snowden & Friends, Cognitive Edge, 2020. ISBN 978-1-7353799-0-6 • Cynefin Climate Change Brochure March 2022.pdf — Programme Brochure: Climate Change, The Cynefin Centre, 2022. • Cynefin Complex Issues Typology.pdf — LinkedIn Feed Export containing various posts and ads, 2024. • Dave Snowden bio(a).pdf — Dave Snowden Biography, Cognitive Edge, 2010. • Dave-Snowden-IEA14.pdf — The new simplicity (Presentation Slides), Integrated EA Westminster, 2014. • EU Managing Complexity (and chaos) in Times of Crisis.pdf — Managing complexity (and chaos) in times of crisis: A field guide for decision makers inspired by the Cynefin framework, Dave Snowden and Alessandro Rancati, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021. ISBN 978-92-76-28844-2, DOI: 10.2760/353 • French - on cynefin 24505520.pdf — Cynefin: uncertainty, small worlds and scenarios, Simon French, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2015. DOI: 10.1057/jors.2015.21 • French 2015 - Cynefin Uncertainty Small Worlds.pdf — Cynefin: uncertainty, small worlds and scenarios, Simon French, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2015. DOI: 10.1057/jors.2015.21 • IRAHS2010.pdf — Using new language for old concepts (CAS, Cognitive Neuroscience & Anthropology), Cognitive Edge, 2007. • Links Dave Snowden - SLS2021.pdf — Links Dave Snowden - SLS2021. • Narrative research - Snowden.pdf — Narrative Research, David Snowden, Cognitive Edge, 2010. • Quinlan - sensemaking in organisations how to create a practical cynefin and sensemaking process - Agile-2019.Sensemaking-and-Complexity.pdf — Sensemaking in Organizations: How to create a practical Cynefin and Sensemaking Process, Ken Power and Tony Quinlan, Agile 2019. • Rettig.Snowden-ComplexityTheoryAndNarrativeResearch_notes.pdf — Combining Complexity Theory with Narrative Research, Notes by Marc Rettig, Fit Associates. • Separated by a common language_ - The Cynefin Co.pdf — Separated by a common language?, Dave Snowden, The Cynefin Co, 2019. • Snowden & Boone HBR Leaders Framework.pdf — A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making, David J. Snowden and Mary E. Boone, Harvard Business Review, 2007. • Snowden - Anticipatory Models for Counter-Terrorism.pdf — Anticipatory modes for Counter Terrorism, M. Lazaroff and D. Snowden, in Emergent Information Technologies and Enabling Policies for Counter-Terrorism, 2006. • Snowden - Archetypes as an instrument of narrative patterning.pdf — Archetypes as an instrument of narrative patterning, David J. Snowden, Knowledge Management, 2001. • Snowden - As through the glass darkly a complex systems approach to futures.pdf — As through a glass darkly: a complex systems approach to futures, Dave Snowden, Handbook of Futures Studies. • Snowden - Complex Acts of Knowing.pdf — Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness, Dave Snowden, Journal of Knowledge Management, 2002. • Snowden - Complex acts of knowing - Paradox and descriptive self-awareness.pdf — Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness, Dave Snowden, Journal of Knowledge Management, 2002. • Snowden - Good fences make good neighbors 2011.pdf — Good fences make good neighbors, David Snowden, Information Knowledge Systems Management, 2011. DOI: 10.3233/IKS-2012-0190 • Snowden - Managing for Serendipity.pdf — Managing for Serendipity or why we should lay off “best practice” in KM, David J. Snowden, Knowledge Management, 2003. • Snowden - Multi ontology sense making v2-May05.pdf — Multi-ontology sense making: a new simplicity in decision making, David Snowden, Management Today Yearbook, 2005. • Snowden - Multi-ontology sense making.pdf — Multi-Ontology Sense Making: A New Simplicity in Decision Making, David J. Snowden, The Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics, 2005. DOI: 10.14236/jhi.v13i1.578 • Snowden - Naturalising Knowledge Management.pdf — Naturalising Knowledge Management (Draft/Chapter), David Snowden. • Snowden - Perspectives Around Emergent Connectivity Sensemakimg and Asymmetric Threat Managmenet 2006.pdf — Perspectives Around Emergent Connectivity, Sense-Making and Asymmetric Threat Management, Dave Snowden, Public Money & Management, 2006. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9302.2006.00539.x • Snowden - The landscape of management creating the context for understanding social complexity.pdf — The landscape of management: Creating the context for understanding social complexity, David J. Snowden and Peter Stanbridge, E:CO, 2004. • Snowden 2003 - Managing for Serendipity.pdf — Managing for Serendipity or why we should lay off “best practice” in KM, David J. Snowden, Knowledge Management, 2003. • Snowden 2011 - Naturalising sense-making.pdf — Naturalizing Sensemaking, David Snowden, in Informed by Knowledge: Expert Performance in Complex Situations, 2010. • Snowden As through a glass darkly.pdf — As through a glass darkly: a complex systems approach to futures, Dave Snowden, Handbook of Futures Studies. • Snowden Boone - a leaders framework for decision making.pdf — A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making, David J. Snowden and Mary E. Boone, Harvard Business Review, 2007. • Snowden The landscape of management Creating the context for understanding social complexity.pdf — The landscape of management: Creating the context for understanding social complexity, David J. Snowden and Peter Stanbridge, E:CO, 2004. • Snowden, revised leadership table.pdf — Cynefin: Revised leadership table, Dave Snowden, Cognitive Edge Blog, 2012. • Snowden-2011-Naturalising-sense-making.pdf — Naturalizing Sensemaking, David Snowden, in Informed by Knowledge: Expert Performance in Complex Situations, 2010. • Snowden.pdf — Multi-ontology sense making: a new simplicity in decision making, David J. Snowden, Management Today Yearbook, 2005. • Snowden_Stanbridge.pdf — The Landscape of Management: Creating the context for understanding social complexity, David J. Snowden and Peter Stanbridge, E:CO, 2004. • Systems Thinking and the Cynefin Framework Final.3 Dettmer.pdf — Systems Thinking and the Cynefin Framework: A Strategic Approach to Managing Complex Systems, H. William Dettmer, Goal Systems International, 2011. • Systems-Thinking-and-the-Cynefin-Framework-Final.3.pdf — Systems Thinking and the Cynefin Framework: A Strategic Approach to Managing Complex Systems, H. William Dettmer, Goal Systems International, 2011. • Systems-Thinking-and-the-Cynefin-Framework-Final.4.pdf — Systems Thinking and the Cynefin Framework: A Strategic Approach to Managing Complex Systems, H. William Dettmer, Goal Systems International, 2011. • Systems-Thinking-and-the-Cynefin-Framework-Final.4£20120103+120952£.pdf — Systems Thinking and the Cynefin Framework: A Strategic Approach to Managing Complex Systems, H. William Dettmer, Goal Systems International, 2011. • The Cynefin Framework and the Technical Leadership - How to Handle the Complexity.pdf — The Cynefin Framework and the Technical Leadership - How to Handle the Complexity (Reference List/Slides). • The unlikely encounter between von Foerster and Snowden - second order cybernetics and big data.pdf — The unlikely encounter between von Foerster and Snowden: second order cybernetics and big data, David Chavalarias, Big Data & Society, 2016. DOI: 10.1177/2053951715621086 • The-Cynefin-Mini-book-online.pdf — The Cynefin Mini-Book: An Introduction to Complexity and the Cynefin Framework, Greg Brougham, InfoQ, 2015. • The-Origins-of-Cynefin-Cognitive-Edge.pdf — The Origins of Cynefin, Dave Snowden, Cognitive Edge Blog Series. • Two cents on the emergence of Cynefin _ 4vitae.pdf — Two cents on the emergence of Cynefin, 4vitae (Blog Post). • Von Foerster conjecture on triviality and emergence.pdf — The unlikely encounter between von Foerster and Snowden: second order cybernetics and big data, David Chavalarias, Big Data & Society, 2016. DOI: 10.1177/2053951715621086 • cynefin framework for clinical reasoning and decision making.pdf — Cynefin Framework for Evidence-Informed Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making, Christian Lunghi and Francesca Baroni, The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2019. DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2019.051 • cynefin in biomedical research.pdf — Cynefin as Reference Framework to Facilitate Insight and Decision-Making in Complex Contexts of Biomedical Research, Gerd Kempermann, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2017. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00634 • cynefin in health promotion decision making.pdf — Making sense in a complex landscape: how the Cynefin framework from complex adaptive systems theory can inform health promotion practice, E. K. Van Beurden et al., Health Promotion International, 2013. DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dar089 • djmarsay.wordpress on cynefin.pdf — djmarsay.wordpress on cynefin (Blog Comments). • etr_cynefin complexity of humans.pdf — Cynefin: The Complexity of Humans, IBM Cynefin Centre. • french 2012 - cynefin statistics and decision analysis.pdf — Cynefin, statistics and decision analysis, Simon French, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2013. DOI: 10.1057/jors.2012.23 • kurtz on cynefin.pdf — Confluence, Cynthia Kurtz, Story Colored Glasses (Blog), 2010. • kurtz snowden - IBM Sys Journal.pdf — The new dynamics of strategy: Sense-making in a complex-complicated world, Cynthia F. Kurtz and David J. Snowden, IBM Systems Journal, 2003. • sensemaking with cynefin for health promotion practice.pdf — Making sense in a complex landscape: how the Cynefin framework from complex adaptive systems theory can inform health promotion practice, E. K. Van Beurden et al., Health Promotion International, 2013. DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dar089 • snowden and innvoation.pdf — Innovation as an object of knowledge management: Part 1 The Landscape of Management, Dave Snowden, Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 2003. • snowden complex acts of knowing.pdf — Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness, Dave Snowden, Journal of Knowledge Management, 2002. • snowden managing for serendipity.pdf — Managing for Serendipity or why we should lay off “best practice” in KM, David J. Snowden, Knowledge Management, 2003. • snowden multi-ontology sense making 578-1421-1-PB.pdf — Multi-ontology sense making: a new simplicity in decision making, David J. Snowden, Management Today Yearbook, 2005. • snowden new dynamics published.pdf — The new dynamics of strategy: Sense-making in a complex-complicated world, Cynthia F. Kurtz and David J. Snowden, IBM Systems Journal, 2003. • snowden_archive.pdf — Conversations with David Snowden, AOK Star Series, 2005. • snowden_complex_acts.pdf — Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness, Dave Snowden, Journal of Knowledge Management, 2002. • snowden_paradox.pdf — The Catalyst Event: programme initiation, IBM Cynefin Centre for Organisational Complexity, 2003. • snowden reworked.pdf — Rewording Snowden (Handwritten Notes). • systems-10-00007 Snowden - The Substrate-Independence Theory.pdf — The Substrate-Independence Theory: Advancing Constructor Theory to Scaffold Substrate Attributes for the Recursive Interaction between Knowledge and Information, John Turner, Dave Snowden, and Nigel Thurlow, Systems, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/systems10010007 • [Book] Broughham - The Cynefin Mini-Book.pdf — The Cynefin Mini-Book: An Introduction to Complexity and the Cynefin Framework, Greg Brougham, InfoQ, 2015. • adimarco@us.ibm.com - Friends_of_The_Cynefin_Centre_-_Europe1@us.ibm.com - Cynefin Centre - Executive Summary.PDF — Cynefin Centre - Executive Summary, IBM, 2002. • cynefin and ideas.pdf — Falcons and white feathered pigeons (Blog Post), Cognitive Edge.