Comments on: How complex is our work?

By: Harold Jarche » Aware Organizations

Harold Jarche » Aware Organizations — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:40:08 +0000

[...] The ideas discussed in the white paper reflect many of my own and those of togetherlearn around complexity, working in networks and integrating learning and [...]

By: Jon Husband

Jon Husband — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:42:04 +0000

Not an answer to your question, merely a reinforcement of your suggestion that We are constantly trying to make sense and bring some order to our work and that takes effort The "Average" Knowledge Worker Today Faces Lots More Change

By: Harold Jarche

Harold Jarche — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:23:08 +0000

Thanks, Brett, I subscribe to the Anecdote blog but I missed that one.

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:18:59 +0000

Harold,

Another useful application of Cynefin from the folks at Anecdote is to be found in their discussion of the question, “When should we collaborate?” A quick summary:

Simple -> Coordination
Complicated -> Cooperation
Complex -> Collaboration

By: Lori Zittnan

Lori Zittnan — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:17:04 +0000

I don’t have data or specific experience in this area except a memory of writing and reviewing survey questions to assess the efficacy of ISTE technology standards of Grade 3-12 teachers. Defined rubrics were very helpful to define a quantifiable scale and maintain validity and reliability.

What seems to distinquish complex from complicated is the severity of impact that is realized when the worker begins to isolate the variables to effect a change in performance in themselves or others.

The research that supports The Performance Consultant’s Fieldbook By Judith A. Hale include some study references that may include related data.

It is much easier with software than with people for the main reason that people are unpredictable. I like the following blog: Here is one of the entries of complex vs complicated that I thought was pretty insightful.
http://www.noop.nl/2008/08/simple-vs-complicated-vs-complex-vs-chaotic.html

Dividing work that is not concrete, like software is messier.

Good luck!