# 7 principles of intervention in complex systems ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) URL:: https://thecynefin.co/7-principles-of-intervention-in-complex-systems/ Author:: The Cynefin Co ## Highlights > One can only really understand a complex system by interacting with it (the probe of probe-sense-respond) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm7gb887w2av7ganb5pgt9)) > You need multiple parallel experiments and they should be based on different and competing theories/hypotheses. > They must be safe-to-fail, which (to state the obvious) means that if they fail you must be able to survive and consequences and recover > A percentage must fail, if not you are not stretching the boundaries enough and your scanning range is reduced in consequence > Each experiment must be coherent, not just a stab in the dark (hence my liking of the T-Shirt). Ideally coherence should be based on evidence, at a minimum ritual dissent should be used to test the ideas. > Actions speak louder than words, if you are trying to counter a negative story then taking small visible actions that make the story impossible to tell is the best policy. Countering stories with stories rarely works as does countering them with facts. Doing things makes all the difference. > You don't start any experiment, safe-to-fail or otherwise unless you can monitor its impact in real time, or at least within correction time of you …… > … damping or amplification strategy. Working both out in advance is key, so you are ready to respond quickly to either success or failure. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm8vhmmha7a44bqpczqn91)) > It is important to realise that a lot of conflict happens in the complex arena. The reason for this is that many theories can be coherent to the facts, so a right answer cannot be determined by further analysis (that is for complicated problems). By allowing anyone with a coherent theory to construct and implement a safe-to-fail experiment you radically reduce conflict in decision making. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm9d62481ywjew2afzyjfd)) --- Title: 7 principles of intervention in complex systems Author: The Cynefin Co Tags: readwise, articles date: 2024-01-30 --- # 7 principles of intervention in complex systems ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) URL:: https://thecynefin.co/7-principles-of-intervention-in-complex-systems/ Author:: The Cynefin Co ## AI-Generated Summary I may buy this T-Shirt as its a great slogan. As it happens I was working on intervention strategy in Washington a week ago. We have completed a SenseMaker® project to understand employee attitudes and then spent one day with the senior management team. Not to simply report what we had found, but to allow […] ## Highlights > One can only really understand a complex system by interacting with it (the probe of probe-sense-respond) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm7gb887w2av7ganb5pgt9)) > You need multiple parallel experiments and they should be based on different and competing theories/hypotheses. > They must be safe-to-fail, which (to state the obvious) means that if they fail you must be able to survive and consequences and recover > A percentage must fail, if not you are not stretching the boundaries enough and your scanning range is reduced in consequence > Each experiment must be coherent, not just a stab in the dark (hence my liking of the T-Shirt). Ideally coherence should be based on evidence, at a minimum ritual dissent should be used to test the ideas. > Actions speak louder than words, if you are trying to counter a negative story then taking small visible actions that make the story impossible to tell is the best policy. Countering stories with stories rarely works as does countering them with facts. Doing things makes all the difference. > You don't start any experiment, safe-to-fail or otherwise unless you can monitor its impact in real time, or at least within correction time of you …… > … damping or amplification strategy. Working both out in advance is key, so you are ready to respond quickly to either success or failure. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm8vhmmha7a44bqpczqn91)) > It is important to realise that a lot of conflict happens in the complex arena. The reason for this is that many theories can be coherent to the facts, so a right answer cannot be determined by further analysis (that is for complicated problems). By allowing anyone with a coherent theory to construct and implement a safe-to-fail experiment you radically reduce conflict in decision making. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfkm9d62481ywjew2afzyjfd))