Navigating Design Problems: A Framework for Success

As designers, we often encounter complex problems that require innovative solutions. However, not all design problems need innovation. So, how do we determine the best approach to solve a design problem? This is where the Cynefin framework comes in – a sense-making tool that helps identify the nature of a problem and the best approach to solve it.

The Story of Sir Clive Sinclair

In the early 1980s, Sir Clive Sinclair, a British entrepreneur, had a vision to create the world’s first electrically powered car. He launched the C5, an electrically assisted pedal cycle, with great fanfare. However, the project was plagued by unforeseen circumstances, including inadequate battery life, poor handling, and low durability. Despite its innovative design, the C5 was a commercial failure.

The Cynefin Framework

Developed by Dave Snowden, the Cynefin framework is a decision-making tool that categorizes problems into five domains: clear, complicated, complex, chaotic, and confused.

• Clear Domain (Known Knowns): Simple problems with obvious solutions. Best practices and established rules can be applied to solve these problems.
• Complicated Domain (Known Unknowns): Problems that require expertise and analysis. These problems have a clear cause-and-effect relationship and can be solved by breaking them down into smaller parts.
• Complex Domain (Unknown Unknowns): Problems that are difficult to understand and have many potential solutions. These problems require experimentation and testing to find the best approach.
• Chaotic Domain (A Roller Coaster Ride): Problems that are highly unpredictable and have no clear cause-and-effect relationship. These problems require immediate action and adaptation to minimize their impact.
• Confused Domain (Don’t Know Where to Start): Problems that are unclear and difficult to categorize. Establishing a shared understanding of the problem is essential before deciding on a course of action.

Applying the Cynefin Framework

To apply the Cynefin framework, ask yourself:

1. Is it a clear problem? Use standard practice and patterns.
2. Is it a complicated problem? Ask experts to help.
3. Is it complex? Get user research and test.
4. Is it chaotic? Build as many prototypes as possible and test quickly. Get feedback quickly and iterate; you need to pivot.
5. Are you in a confused domain? You need to sense things out. This means discussion. It might be painful, but you will find your way back to the other four domains at some stage.

// Example of a decision-making process using the Cynefin framework
function decideApproach(problem) {
  if (problem.domain === 'clear') {
    // Use standard practice and patterns
  } else if (problem.domain === 'complicated') {
    // Ask experts to help
  } else if (problem.domain === 'complex') {
    // Get user research and test
  } else if (problem.domain === 'chaotic') {
    // Build prototypes and test quickly
  } else if (problem.domain === 'confused') {
    // Sense things out and discuss
  }
}

Note: The code snippet is a simplified example of a decision-making process using the Cynefin framework. It is not meant to be a real-world implementation.