Impact Trust • Working glossary
Cynefin framework
A framework distingishing five domains of practice -- clear, complicated, complex, chaotic, confused -- each requiring different approaches.
Details
Our Take
Most training prepares people for 'simple' and 'complicated' domains, but the polycrisis operates in 'complex' and 'chaotic' territory where cause-and-effect can only be understood in retrospect, if at all. The practical value is in stopping people from applying complicated-domain solutions to complex-domain problems. 'Cynefin' is Welsh for 'habitat' or 'place of multiple belongings.'
Examples of Use
Dave Snowden, Cynefin Centre, complexity practice
Synonyms/Variants
Complexity domains; Sense-categorise-respond vs probe-sense-respond
Typical everyday wording
Different kinds of problems need fundamentally different approaches
Contribute to this term
Share edits, alternative wording, or sources. Editors review submissions before publishing.
Thanks for contributing!
Your submission is pending review. You can track status on the Contributions page.
What's your take?
Share your perspective or experience with this term. This is feedback, not a direct term edit.
Feedback submitted
Thanks for sharing your take. You can track it from the Contributions page under My Feedback.