Managing complexity in times of crisis

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This publication titled: “Managing complexity (and chaos) in times of crisis. A field guide for decision makers inspired by the Cynefin framework“, contains interesting topics.

Addressing chaos

Assess

Types of constraints

Adapt

In lack of a contingency plan, we must reallocate resources and re-design processes to empower the emergence of small, informal teams and networks that will help us make sense of the new, changing landscape.

  • Manage constraints: We reduce hard organizational constraints and introduce flexible boundaries that allow to gain control of chaos and buy time for an organizational shift.
  • Coordinate, do not decide: distribute decisions to informal networks, centralize coordination.
  • Communicate by engagement: create informal employee networks to help assess the situation and to contribute to taking decisions.
  • Avoid premature convergence: keep options open as long as possible.

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