We live in an uncertain world, with an even more uncertain business environment. Organisations frequently find themselves in difficult situations that they may not be used to, and must react to these situations effectively and efficiently. 

Good leadership is knowing that problem solving is not a “one size fits all” process. For that reason, it is vital for businesses to understand these multitudes of contexts and approach them differently and bridge knowledge gaps that may be missing. 

But how do you know what the right approach is to adopt in different situations?

Leaders can use the Cynefin (meaning habitat in welsh) framework to take different contexts into account when making decisions. 

What is the Cynefin framework, and how can it help your organisation adapt its decision making to different contexts?


## What is Cynefin?

Cynefin is a framework for categorising problems and decisions companies might face and allows them to respond accordingly. 

The framework helps organisations avoid using the same management style and decision making approach to different situations where they may not be practical. 

By encouraging flexibility and adaptability when making decisions, Cynefin allows organisations to adjust their management style to the problem in question. 

Cynefin can help make better decisions in crises and emergencies but also in product development, marketing and organisational strategy. 

The framework describes five main contexts: Complex, complicated, chaotic, obvious and disorder. 

Let’s look into these contexts in more detail. 
![Cynefin contexts: Complex, complicated, chaotic, obvious](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/Cynefin_2a26e52f86.png)

### Obvious Contexts

Obvious contexts are contexts where the relationship between cause and effect have already been well established.

Your organisation may have been in this situation thousands of times and may know exactly what to do when faced with this scenario.

#### How should you lead in obvious contexts?

In obvious contexts, there are often explicit steps that dictate the next stage of the process according to established best practices.

An example of this may be problems encountered at call centres which are often predictable and there are processes in place to handle them.

You should assess the situation, categorise its type and base the response based on best practice wherein there is often a single ‘correct’ answer based on existing process and procedure.

There is a danger that obvious contexts may be oversimplified by management. Avoid this by ensuring that there are clear communication channels in place so that team members can report situations that don’t fit into established categories.

Another danger in obvious context is that past experience in them makes teams less receptive to new and innovative ideas. Avoid this by staying open to new, disruptive ideas and pursuing innovative suggestions.

### Complicated Contexts

Complicated situations are situations where there may be a clear relationship between cause and effect, but this relationship may not be visible to everyone.

In complicated contexts, most variables are known. You know what you need to achieve, but not necessarily how to achieve it. You may even be able to guarantee a good result, but not the best solution.

Complicated situations may include:

- Improving an existing product
- Coaching a new team
- Adopting new methods

#### How should you lead in complicated situations?

The leadership approach to take in these situations is to first assess the situation and sense what the problem might be.

Then, investigate several options for how to solve the problem, analyse large data groups if needed and use experts in the field to gain relevant insights.

From this information determine a course of action and execute this plan following the plan, do, check, act cycle.

Do not rely too heavily on experts in complicated situations whilst dismissing creative thinking.

Instead, assemble a team of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

### Complex Situations

Complex situations emerge when it may be impossible to identify one correct solution or spot cause-and-effect relationships.

In complex domains, we can only understand why things happen in retrospect. Many organizations today fall into these situations due to the rapid pace of change and uncertainty of our environments.

#### How Should you lead in complex situations?

Instead of coming up with an action plan right away, it is better to approach complex environments with calm and patience.

Follow the probe-sense-respond model. Look for patterns and wait for the solution to emerge.

As a leader, instead of giving solutions that may be under-researched, should gather a diverse group of people and have them discuss possibilities and innovative solutions.

##### Business Experiments

It may also be helpful in these particular situations to conduct business experiments because pattern recognition and experimentation are required when there is no cause and effect relationship.

The solutions won’t be prepackaged but come from brand new thinking and ideas.

It may also be useful to use brainstorming tools such as Random Input or Provocation to generate these new, innovative ideas.

### Chaotic Situations

Chaotic contexts are those with no cause and effect relationship whatsoever.

These contexts can occur out of the blue and can be hugely disruptive, in chaotic contexts, there is often no time to experiment or probe the situation as these situations are dire and require immediate action.

Paralysing IT failure, terrorist attacks and natural disasters are just some examples of chaotic contexts that can put your organisation at serious risk of capitulation.

#### How should you lead in chaotic situations?

The approach you should take in these situations follows the act-sense-respond directive.

Events of this nature occur suddenly and are hugely disruptive, thus immediate action is required to stabilise the situation, acting decisively to address the most pressing issues.

Then sense where there is stability and where there isn’t following your direct action.

Finally, respond with novel practices to move the situation from a state of chaos to a state of complexity.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

To navigate chaotic situations successfully, consider conducting a Risk Analysis to identify possible risks, prioritize them with a Risk Impact/Probability Chart, and make sure that you have a comprehensive crisis plan in place.

It's impossible to prepare for every situation, but planning for identifiable risks is often helpful.

### Disorder

Disorder is the space in the middle of the Cynefin framework. This category applies to contexts where you can’t pinpoint which of the other categories your situation fits into. These particular contexts are challenging for organisations as you have little to no idea how to appraise and react to the situation at hand. 

People usually react to contexts of disorder by acting in line with personal preferences, without stopping to deal with the situation at hand. 
![disorder context of Cynefin](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/Cynefinq_f6554a4ec6.jpg)
#### How do you react in contexts of disorder?

The way to deal with disorder is to firstly gather more information about your situation in order to move into a known domain within the framework. 

Another way of dealing with this context is to break the situation down into smaller problems, these problems which can then be applied to one of the known categories. 

 
## Conclusion

Cynefin is a useful framework for helping people throughout an organisation understand the importance of reacting to different contexts differently. Effective leadership is knowing that better decisions are made when approaches are adapted to changing circumstances. 

Having a good solution is all well and good, but when applied to the wrong situational context, it can lead to outcomes that are more complicated and harmful than the initial problem ever was. 

Effective use of the Cyenfin framework can make your organisation’s life a lot easier by structuring the approach to finding the correct solution based on the conditions of the problem. 

If you found this article useful, why not share it with a friend, or leave your thoughts and comments below, we’d love to hear your feedback. 

Learn how the Cynefin Framework helps leaders adapt their approach to different business challenges. Make smarter decisions with clear strategies.

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Cynefin Framework helps leaders adapt decision-making to different contexts. Make smarter decisions with clear strategies.

Cynefin Framework Explained

Cynefin: How should you react to different organisational contexts? 

Coming up with fresh, innovative ideas for your organisation is never an easy task. Too often companies fall into the trap of rehashing the same old strategies in the hope that something will one day stick. So what can your organisation do to avoid lacking innovative ideas when solving challenging business problems and ensure that you always stay one step ahead of your competitors? 

One way to breathe new thinking into your projects is by using ideation techniques. 

## What is ideation?

Put simply, ideation is the creative process of generating new ideas, allowing founders and executives to determine the right problems to solve, and how to solve them. 

Through ideation, you will be able to: 
●	Stop oblivious thinking and increase organisational innovation
●	Bring diverse perspectives from a wide range of team members
●	Uncover unexpected innovative ideas
●	Create a higher volume and variety of innovative suggestions 
●	Drive your team beyond generic thought and ideas

Effective ideation can be achieved through ideation techniques, let’s take a look at some popular ideation techniques that have helped organisations effectively stimulate innovation. 

## Mindmapping

A mind map is an association technique that allows you to organically /organise your thoughts into a non-linear graphic. Concepts, words, images, and thoughts branch out from a central topic, creating a ‘map’ effect that naturally tracks your train of thought.

In the tech world, mind mapping allows developers to create wireframes and site map diagrams without worrying about order or structure, improving overall development efficiency.

![teamwork-business-colleagues-social-media-sketch](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/teamwork_business_colleagues_social_media_sketch_7f434a2094.jpg)

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐲…

Graphic organisation techniques have been used for ages, but British psychology author Tony Buzan makes a special case for mind maps.

He claims that traditional brainstorming templates require people to read information in a linear fashion (i.e. from left to right or top to bottom), but the human brain naturally prefers to observe information in a non-linear pattern.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞?

Here are some basic steps for creating your own digital mind map:

1. Start with a blank page.
2. Add a central theme or idea.
3. Brainstorm related ideas and add them to the page.
4. Draw lines to connect ideas and represent the relationship between ideas.
5. Use formatting tools to visually organize and display your information.

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?

According to a 2017 survey from the Mind Map Software blog, mind mapping can improve your work speed by 44%, increase creativity by 30%, and provide users with 7 hours of extra weekly free time.

## Storyboarding

Storyboarding involves communicating a story through images displayed in a sequence of panels that maps out a story’s main events chronologically.

Storyboarding involves three main components:

𝟏. 𝐀 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 

Based on a user story, a storyboard needs to have a clear description of the scenario you are trying to communicate so that your team can understand what is being depicted prior to looking at the visuals.

𝟐. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 

Each step in the scenario is represented by visuals. These can be lo-fi sketches, illustrations or photos including imagery relevant to the scenario you are trying to depict.

𝟑. 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 

Each visual is accompanied by a caption describing the target user’s actions, environment, device and more. Captions are concise and no more than a couple bullet points

Storyboarding can perform a number of 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 when developing a 𝐔𝐗 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 

Storyboarding can convey how your users are interacting with your product, summarising this in just text can be useful but images can make the story memorable and easy to skim through.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 

Visually picturing how your users will interact with your product can make it easier to appreciate their needs and understand which features are needed to prioritise in order to achieve your business goals.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 

Storyboarding can help to visualise your user’s potential experience, allowing you to have a greater understanding of their environment prior to starting the development process.
Brainwriting 

Brainwriting was designed by German marketing expert Bernd Rohrbach in 1968.

It is a more structured version of a brainstorming technique, with the same goal of generating new ideas, encouraging creative problem-solving, and developing innovative solutions.

The main difference is that instead of discussing the ideas, they are written down. This provides the more shy and introverted participants, who might be reluctant to speak up in brainstorming sessions, an equal opportunity to participate.

𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝟔-𝟑-𝟓 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. 

In short, 6 participants, write down 3 ideas on a worksheet within 5 minutes. After the round is done, the worksheets are swapped among participants and another 5 minute round with 3 new ideas is started.

This enables participants to be inspired and build upon other team members’ ideas.

By default, this is repeated 6 times and would generate 108 ideas in 30 minutes.

It’s a pretty straightforward technique, which makes it really easy to implement.

𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Keep the group size small - no more than 8 participants, as it otherwise becomes difficult to manage.

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 - having a moderator is not necessary as all the information needed is on the worksheet and the rules are simple.

However, a moderator could still be helpful in making sure that the time boxes are respected.

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 - same as for brainstorming, all members of the session should be provided with a clearly defined problem statement.

### Morphological Matrix

A Morphological Matrix is a form of 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 that can be used in either a solo or group setting. Its structured table format enables you to expose your ideas to 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 of business or product possibilities.

This simple tool is best known for bringing a creative element to 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, helping developers to optimise platform 𝐔𝐗 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐈.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭?

Morphological Matrixes can be implemented in four simple steps:

1) 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞?

2) 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐬, 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫/𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦. For example, if you are designing a logo, parameters could include font, icon, colour, size, etc.

3) 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞, roughly sketching a quick version of each element into the corresponding box.

4) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭. These combinations should fuel bigger ideas and help you escape ‘first idea syndrome.’

## Osborne’s Method

In American advertising executive Alex Osborn’s words, “𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐞.” That’s why he developed a special method of brainstorming coined 𝐎𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 that uses deferred judgement to overcome a lack of inspiration.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭?

Osborn’s method involves 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, regardless of how outrageous they seem, alongside a ‘𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥’ 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬. The leader encourages a rapid flow of ideas, the recorder lists every suggested idea, and the panel members supply every idea that comes to them.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫?

This method of deferred judgement increases an individual’s 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 by freeing the human mind from traditional analytical thinking patterns and can be useful in the 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

Three rules are central to Osborn’s method:

1. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

2. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝

3. 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

## Conclusion

To conclude, ideation strategies can be game-changing to eradicate stale and thinking from your ideation. 

Thus allowing the people in your organisation to understand the right problems to solve and the right way to approach these problems. 

The techniques mentioned in this article should give you a good starting point for how to ideate more effectively, but it is not an exhaustive list, try out different approaches and see which one works best for your organisation!


Discover simple ideation techniques to boost creativity and solve business challenges. Explore mind mapping, storyboarding, brainwriting, and more!

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Read how mind mapping, storyboarding, brainwriting, and more ideation techniques can spark innovative ideas and help your team solve tough problems.

Ideation Techniques: Boost Business Innovation and Creative Thinking

The face of business has been shifting seismically over the past few decades and the pace of change in the modern world is constant and unpredictable. Sometimes your organisation faces challenging situations that it needs to adapt to and prepare for. 

In this article we will look into the ‘VUCA’ framework, a tool to help us understand challenging business environments and provide useful insights for how to prepare and act decisively when things get difficult.  

## What is VUCA?

Military planners used the VUCA framework to describe unfamiliar security environments that exist. 

![volatility uncertainty complexity ambiguity](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/VUCA_1af29bfba2.png)

### VUCA stands for:

**V - Volatility**: The pace of change is rapid and unpredictable, especially for the worse. As volatile changes impact the global markets, organisations need to be agile and responsive, having strategies in place to manage risk. 

**U - Uncertainty** - The present is unclear and the future is uncertain, understanding certain challenges and having a strategy to reduce the impact of uncertain situations is key to reducing adverse impacts of product sales.

**C - Complex**: Complexity is the number of factors that must be considered, their variety, and the relationships between them. It can be difficult to practice rational problem-solving in a complex environment due to several interdependencies. In short, the more complex an environment is, the harder information is to analyse. 

**A - Ambiguous:** Ambiguity refers to a lack of clarity about how to interpret something. Ambiguity occurs in the workplace when information is incomplete, contradictory, or too inaccurate to reach informed conclusions. In short, the more ambiguous the world is, the harder it is to interpret. 
 
## How can you manage VUCA situations?

We can use and analyse the elements of VUCA to better mitigate the impacts of challenging situations businesses find themselves in. 

### How do I overcome volatility?

**React to volatility with vision**

Volatility can be overcome with a strong corporate vision that is implemented consistently and includes everyone in the company. Create a strong statement of company values and develop a clear shared vision for the future

### How do I overcome uncertainty?

**React to uncertainty with understanding **

Uncertainty can be overcome by listening to and gleaning as much as possible from your company’s stakeholders, including customers, staff, and partners. Invest in the analysing and interpreting of business and competitive intelligence so that you don’t fall behind. 

### How do I overcome complexity?

**React to complexity with courage**

Complexity can be overcome by being brave enough to make quick decisions, despite associated risks. Courage has the potential to reveal new opportunities for success. Develop teams and promote collaboration to build teams that can work effectively in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. 

### How do I overcome ambiguity?

**React to ambiguity with adaptability**

Ambiguity can be overcome by changing your plan of action at a moment’s notice to accommodate contradictory dynamics. Being adaptable can help your business become stronger and more resilient in the face of incomplete information, giving you a long-term competitive advantage. 

As the world is becoming rapidly more uncertain and difficult to predict, understanding how to adapt to VUCA situations is vital in managing risk and ensuring your organisation can flourish. In order to be successful in a VUCA world, leaders must be increasingly agile and emotionally prepared to manage uncertainty and risk. 

[Reach us out](https://inpositiv.com/services/digital-agility) for expert help today!

The VUCA framework is a valuable tool to analyse and manage unfamiliar situations that arise in an increasingly difficult global business environment. This blog post breaks down the components of VUCA, suggesting how to overcome the range of diverse challenges organisations face. 

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How ‘VUCA’ framework, a tool to help us understand challenging business environments and provide useful insights for how to prepare and act decisively when things get difficult.  

How to Handle Uncertain Business Challenges With VUCA framework

VUCA Framework: How to Handle Uncertain Business Challenges

When undertaking an agile software development or [digital transformation project](https://inpositiv.com/insights/digital-agility-transforming-business), some of the most important aspects are your parameters for completion. What preconditions need to be met? What bites in the backlog should we be focusing on? What is the quality of the product that stakeholders expect from the project output to ensure a finished and complete product?

When people interact with complex systems, these ideas can get a bit confusing. 

Hence why, in agile [scrum teams](https://inpositiv.com/insights/sprint-teamwork-roles-responsibilities) the concepts of the definition of done (DoD) and definition of ready (DoR) become essential components, ensuring that there is a consensus on what tasks the team can start working on and whether the result can be considered complete or not.  

But what is a DoD and a DoR and how do you implement them to ensure that you know when your agile digital transformation has been effectively completed?

## Scrum and Backlog

Before diving into the DoD and DoR parameters in detail. It is first important to get a grasp of the big picture of an agile scrum team, the concept of a backlog and user stories. 

At the product level, as well as the sprint level, a backlog refers to a project’s ‘to do list’, or requirements repository. All items that are deemed as ‘in scope’ for the project are ordered in the backlog, meaning that the higher the position that a task takes up in the backlog, the more important that task is. This order is decided by the product owner, driven by business value after consultation with the development team. 

Items are added to [the backlog](https://inpositiv.com/insights/scrum-framework-and-artefacts-explained) in the form of ‘user stories’, or short descriptions of a desired feature told from the perspective of the person who requires the capability.  

A sprint is a time-boxed period whereby an agile scrum team works to complete a set amount of high priority items from the sprint backlog in order to turn them into a product increment. It is important that these defined user stories are ‘ready’ 

## Definition of Ready (DoR)

A DoR should define the criteria that a specific [user story](https://inpositiv.com/insights/user-stories-example-and-template) must meet before being considered for inclusion into a sprint. It should also include the essential set of preconditions that need to be met, allowing the next step in the value creation process to happen effectively. 

By observing and following a ‘definition of ready’, the chances of teammates becoming frustrated with a backlog they don’t fully understand and cannot effectively follow through with are significantly reduced. 

A ‘ready’ item in the backlog of a digital transformation needs to be clear, actionable and feasible. 
●	Clear items suggest that all scrum team members have a shared understanding of what the task entails. 
●	An item is testable if there is a way to effectively measure its functionality and determine if its functionality will work as expected. 
●	A user story can be considered feasible if it can be completed in a single sprint, if this is not possible the task must be further broken down. 

![team working on creating user friendly product](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/Group_6900_9a794d10b2.jpg)

## Definition of Done (DoD)

DoR is primarily focused on user story and backlog level characteristics. DoD, on the other hand, is focused on the sprint level. The purpose of a well-implemented DoD is to make it as crystal clear as possible as to when the work is completed, representing acceptance criteria for a sprint or release. 

The DoD represents an agreement between the [development team and product owner](https://inpositiv.com/insights/sprint-teamwork-roles-responsibilities) on the work that needs to be done for each user story. This ensures that everyone on the team knows exactly what is expected of everything the team is to deliver, promoting further transparency and quality from the product and organisation. 

Failure to meet these criteria by the end of the sprint means that it shouldn’t be released or presented at the sprint review and should instead be returned to the product backlog for further consideration. 

Things that are commonly addressed in the DoD include: 
●	Operating requirements and level of integration (what version of Linux/android/ios/browser) 
●	Level of documentation required 
●	The quality expectations for the product (does it require basic functionality for demo proposes or a fully bulletproof application) 
●	Security expectations for the product (does the product require security to be vetted on all levels from code reviews to network security configuration)
●	Scalability 

DoR and DoD are two of the most important principles for scrum teams to consider when conducting a digital transformation, denoting when a user story is fleshed out enough to be tackled whilst defining the criteria for the success of the user stories.

Without a well defined DoR and DoD, there is a lack of transparency and logic regarding what to start working on and the standards to which things should be completed, leading to a disorganised project that may well not match the expectations of your client. 

For more insights into how to [make digital transformations work for your company](https://inpositiv.com/services/digital-agility), follow our [LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/inpositiv/)! 


Parameters of completion are essential components in any successful Scrum team. This blog post clarifies the definition of done and the definition of ready so you can ensure your agile projects are clear, transparent and organised. 

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How the Definition of done (DoD) and Definition of Ready (DoR) help agile teams know when to start and finish tasks, increasing transparency and quality.

Definition of Done vs. Definition of Ready: Clear Guidelines for Agile Teams

What is the definition of done and the definition of ready?

Did you know that the job market is rapidly becoming an employee’s market? But what does that mean? Just some years ago, employers ruled the job market as they had the power to choose and find the talent they wanted selectively. Nowadays, employees, especially in engineering, computer science, technology sectors, and science, have a higher selective power than they used to have. Hence, many organizations struggle to find or secure the right talent and still leave HR on the backburner. This article will cover the importance of having a solid and modern recruitment strategy, and how HR departments within organizations enable agile people-first businesses to work correctly.

## How can you define the criteria for a new role, and how do you structure your recruitment process?

You must consider different factors in your recruitment process and strategies like transparency, culture, diversity, positive work environments, professional development and training, and career progression within the business. What may have worked before the Covid-19 pandemic or even years ago can now be considered outdated. Therefore, focus your recruitment process on finding an individual that fits your company's overall values and vision. More specifically we will focus on tactical hires and strategic hires from an agile perspective in this article.

### Tactical hire:

If you are looking for new talent to add to an existing stable setting, then defining the role should be delegated to the team. The peers/teams should be in control of defining the profile they are looking for - HR and the leadership team should only challenge these roles from diversity and financial angles. Aside from it, the team/daily business should be in control.

The recruitment process needs to be fast and transparent, it makes sense to use a shared recruitment tool, and keep the peers/teams in the loop. Through this method, the recruitment process becomes intelligent and flexible - the peers/teams understand what is going on, and they can help screen candidates early on. In addition, opening up the process encourages "hire for attitude and train for skill approach".

As a result, peers can avoid high potential junior applicants being removed from the process because they do not fulfil some criteria. They can also bring in the gravitas needed for senior applicants, asking specific and detailed questions early on. In the end, the team should decide who is hired - this may sound pretty obvious - but in many cases still isn't.

### Strategic hire:

If you want to make your recruited talent last and lead to success in the longer run, and hire individuals to fill today's and tomorrow’s job positions, then strategic hire is the way to go. It's a business attitude that could lead you through the recruiting process and ensure that you get the best outcomes possible. In a word, it is taking a larger view of your present and prospective personnel, always asking, "How can they contribute to my organization's business goals?"

If managed and planned correctly, strategic hiring can improve your overall talent management view and render your talent pool more robust. Therefore, you need to constantly keep your business’s objectives, goals, and needs in line with your recruitment procedure.

Another important aspect of strategic hiring consists of building a strong employer brand that puts forward the employer value position. This role consists of branding and marketing the employer as an optimal one through sharing transparent and honest testimonials of other employees, the workplace environment and the advantage of joining the company.

## The importance of making agile transformations an HR priority:

As we have mentioned above, finding the right talent can be challenging, and using the tactical and strategic hiring approaches alone might not be efficient. Therefore, organizations need to make HR and recruitment a priority in their agile transformations.

In many organizations, HR still has an old-school reputation that needs dusting off - where it is perceived to be "bureaucratic" and "ineffective".

If your organization has difficulty finding good talent, an agile people-first strategy may be a good way forward. And for this to work, HR, or to give it a modern name, people development, needs to get the attention it deserves. However, one must consider that this is also a double-edged sword - with great power comes great responsibility. Thus, to become an agile people-first organization, HR will need to evolve and do its part. It will need to make some concessions regarding its domain which translates into focusing on more collaboration, co-creation, and transparency because they are essential for success.

## Conclusion:

HR and talent acquisition are crucial aspects of a corporation, and you should not overlook them under any circumstances. It is as critical to employ agile approaches on an HR level as it is in other more functional departments of your business. After all, you should see your employees like customers and you should allocate enough time and resources to hiring them as they’re the ones who will be responsible for driving your business’s success in the future. Hence, you need to ensure they share your company values and know what your company stands for and want to achieve.


Discover how to build a modern, agile recruitment strategy. Learn the difference between tactical and strategic hires, and why HR transformation is crucial for finding and retaining top talent in today’s competitive job market

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Learn how agile recruitment strategies and HR transformation can help attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market.

Why Modern Recruitment Strategies Are Essential for Agile Organizations

The importance of solid  recruitment strategies and how  HR enables agile people-first  businesses to work effectively

Professional networking establishes and nurtures meaningful connections with people in your industry or related fields. At its core, it involves building relationships with individuals who can offer valuable insights, guidance, or opportunities to advance your career or business goals. Networking isn’t just about exchanging [business cards](http://www.myicards.ch/) or sending out LinkedIn requests; it's about fostering long-term connections that can help both you and your network grow professionally.

Effective networking helps you gather knowledge, share experience, and unlock opportunities that you might not have access to otherwise. Whether you're attending a networking event or engaging in an online community like LinkedIn, it’s essential to approach it with the mindset of building genuine relationships. We understand how challenging this can feel, especially if you’re new to social networking services, but by mastering social skills and understanding your goal, you'll find that networking becomes a powerful tool for career growth.

## Common Networking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

In the world of professional networking, if you're not careful, certain habits can hinder your efforts to build lasting and meaningful relationships. By understanding and avoiding common networking mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for success in your professional network.

### Mistake #1 – Being Too Pushy

One of the most frequent mistakes people make during networking events is being overly aggressive in trying to make connections. While it’s important to show interest in meeting new people, coming across as pushy can leave a negative impression. Instead of forcing the conversation, aim to listen and engage naturally. Remember, **building relationships** is a gradual process. It’s more effective to establish a rapport based on mutual respect than to overwhelm someone with requests.

### Mistake #2 – Forgetting to Follow Up

Another mistake that can derail your networking efforts is failing to follow up after the initial meeting. Sending a simple email or LinkedIn message to thank someone for their time and express interest in staying connected goes a long way. It shows that you value the **network** you are building and demonstrates professionalism. Without this step, the relationship may fizzle out, leaving your connections without the **social skills** and personal touch necessary to flourish.

### Mistake #3 – Not Being Genuine

Being authentic is key to creating meaningful professional relationships. People can quickly sense when you're not being sincere, and this can be a major turnoff. Focus on **building relationships** that feel genuine, rather than just transactional. It’s important to be yourself and show a real interest in others. Your **experience** and **knowledge** will speak for itself when you remain authentic in your interactions.

### Mistake #4 – Focusing Only on What You Can Get

Networking is a two-way street. If your goal is solely to get something from the other person—whether it's information, a job opportunity, or a business deal—you'll quickly come across as self-serving. Instead, focus on how you can **add value** to the relationship. By sharing your own insights and offering assistance when possible, you build trust and create a stronger **professional network**.

### Mistake #5 – Not Expanding Your Network

Finally, many professionals make the mistake of staying within their comfort zone and not actively working to expand their network. While it’s easier to rely on existing connections, **meeting new** people and entering different circles can open doors to fresh opportunities. Whether through a **networking event**, joining an **online community**, or participating in a **mentorship** program, continuously expanding your **social network** is essential for long-term success.

Avoiding these common mistakes can transform your networking efforts and help you create a relationship that supports your career growth. 

## Easy 10 Tips to Build a Strong Professional Network

Building a network is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their career. Whether you’re aiming to meet new colleagues, mentors, or potential business partners, networking is a skill that can open many doors. Here are 10 simple yet effective tips to strengthen your professional network and make lasting connections.

### Tip #1 – Start Early

The earlier you begin networking, the better. Don’t wait until you’re actively looking for opportunities or partnerships. By building relationships early, you create a strong foundation that you can rely on when needed. Attend industry events, connect on platforms like LinkedIn, and initiate conversations with professionals in your field before you feel the need to. A proactive approach will give you a head start and help you establish valuable connections over time.

### Tip #2 – Attend Events

Networking events, whether they are in-person or virtual, are prime opportunities to meet professionals and exchange information. Attending conferences, seminars, or even casual business meetups can broaden your reach. When attending, always come prepared with [nfc enabled business cards](http://www.myicards.ch/) and be ready to introduce yourself confidently. Events like these are a great way to break the ice and initiate conversations that could evolve into strong professional relationships.
![diverse-business-people-dinner-party](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/diverse_business_people_dinner_party_b406ad7015.jpg)
### Tip #3 – Practice Good Communication

Effective communication is key when building your network. This means being clear, concise, and respectful in your interactions. Eye contact, body language, and active listening all play a significant role in how you present yourself to others. Additionally, practising good email etiquette and knowing how to craft thoughtful, professional messages can help set you apart. Remember, your communication style says a lot about your professional persona, so always aim to leave a positive impression.

### Tip #4 – Use Social Media

Social media platforms like LinkedIn are crucial tools for modern connection. You can expand your reach by connecting with professionals globally, staying updated on industry trends, and sharing your knowledge. LinkedIn, in particular, is an excellent platform for showcasing your expertise, engaging with online communities, and joining conversations within your industry. Be sure to regularly update your profile, contribute meaningful content, and engage with others' posts to maintain an active presence.

### Tip #5 – Always Be Prepared

Being prepared is a fundamental aspect of successful networking. This includes not only having details ready but also having a clear idea of your networking goals. Before attending a networking event, research the attendees or speakers, and think about what you would like to gain from your interactions. Having a focused approach ensures you make the most of every opportunity.

### Tip #6 – Offer Help

Networking is a two-way street, and one of the best ways to build relationships is by offering your help. Whether it’s sharing useful information, making introductions, or providing guidance, showing that you are willing to give back strengthens your professional relationships. Over time, people will be more inclined to reciprocate, which can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

### Tip #7 – Follow Up Regularly

It’s easy to lose touch after making a new connection, but the key lies in regular follow-ups. After meeting someone at a networking event or connecting online, send a brief message to express your gratitude for the conversation and suggest ways to stay in touch. Following up regularly with articles, event invites, or updates will keep the relationship alive and show that you’re genuinely interested in maintaining the connection.

### Tip #8 – Be a Good Listener

One of the most underrated networking skills is being a good listener. Paying attention to what others are saying, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in their experiences will leave a lasting impression. People appreciate when they feel heard and understood, and this builds trust, a crucial element. When networking, focus on listening more than talking.

### Tip #9 – Build Long-Term Relationships

The goal of networking is not just to gain short-term benefits but to create long-lasting relationships. Building these relationships takes time and effort, but they are often the most rewarding. Stay connected with people even when you don’t need anything from them, and look for ways to offer support and encouragement. Over time, these long-term relationships will become your strongest allies in your career.

### Tip #10 – Stay Positive and Open-Minded
![Happy woman chatting with friends online.jpg](https://inpositiv.com/uploads/Happy_woman_chatting_with_friends_online_221bc28c1a.jpg)

Networking can sometimes feel challenging, but maintaining a positive and open-minded attitude will help you succeed. Approaching every conversation with curiosity and a willingness to learn will open more doors than you might expect. Whether you’re engaging with someone who shares your goals or someone from a completely different industry, an optimistic mindset will make you more approachable and leave a lasting impression.

## Why Building a Strong Professional Network Matters

A solid network can be your gateway to learning new industry trends, finding mentors, or even securing partnerships. Through meaningful connections, you can tap into a wealth of experience and knowledge that might otherwise be inaccessible. Engaging with professionals from diverse backgrounds helps you to broaden your perspective and approach challenges with new insights. Furthermore, a strong network can be instrumental in career progression, as many opportunities come through personal recommendations rather than traditional job applications.

Additionally, networking can offer direct business benefits. Connecting with key individuals in your field can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations. It helps you stay informed about market shifts, ensuring that your organisation stays ahead of the competition. By surrounding yourself with a network of experienced professionals, you increase your access to data-driven insights, expert opinions, and relevant conversations that drive decision-making.

Discover essential professional networking tips to avoid common mistakes at events. Learn how to prepare, communicate effectively, and follow up for lasting connections and career growth.

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Essential professional networking tips to avoid common mistakes at events. Learn how to prepare, communicate effectively, and follow up for lasting connections and career growth.

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Cynefin: How should you react to different organisational contexts?

Ideation Techniques: Boost Business Innovation and Creative Thinking

VUCA Framework: How to Handle Uncertain Business Challenges

What is the definition of done and the definition of ready?

The importance of solid recruitment strategies and how HR enables agile people-first businesses to work effectively

Professional networking tips to help you avoid common mistakes