Addressing Complexity by Learning fast with BOSSA nova
The pandemic is a stark example of the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (short VUCA) world we currently live in and this world asks for company-wide agility. By synthesizing Beyond Budgeting, Open Space, Sociocracy & Agility, BOSSA nova is one approach to company-wide agility. Yet it is often unclear, where and how to start implementing this approach. As pointed out by the so-called Fearless Change Patterns, it doesn’t help to wait for the perfect moment when you have the resources and knowledge you think you need; instead, take the first baby step and start learning. Thus, for living in the VUCA world an open mindset to learning is essential that can be approached by the concept called probes – small, safe-to-fail experiments based on hypotheses derived from reflection on the current situation as well as on theory. In this session, I will share both the concept and some examples of probes implemented by different companies that can guide the probing in your company to establish a learning organization.
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Addressing Complexity by Learning fast with BOSSA nova
- 1. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 1 1 Jutta Eckstein | @JuttaEckstein https://JEckstein.com https://agilebossanova.org Addressing Complexity by Learning Fast with BOSSA nova
- 5. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 5 So What?
- 6. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 6 Understanding Complexity ■ Ralph Stacey − No agreement and no predictability means chaos − Complete agreement is and predictability means “Simple/Obvious” − Complex means can’t know cause and effect (only patterns) − Probes start with “reflexive inquiry” (Thinking about how you are thinking.) ■ Glenda Eoyang (HSD) − Containers, differences & exchanges ■ Dave Snowden (Cynefin)
- 7. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 7 Addressing Complexity ◼ Predictions are rarely accurate, thus, you need to be ready to adjust your forecast. ◼ The more perspectives are going into an idea, the less likely it is completely off. ◼ Testing ideas quickly, starts the learning process in a safe way
- 8. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 8 Now What?
- 12. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 12 Reflect On Your Situation ◼ Take time to think about a situation you want to probe ◼ How are we thinking about this situation? – E.g., what are we assuming? – What would it be like if we didn’t make that assumption? ◼ In general, don’t focus on something broad and big - if you make a probe on something small it’s more likely it will be useful (both for yourself and for others).
- 13. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 13 Design Probes ◼ The hypothesis – Should be an assumption about what we expect will happen ◼ The experiment(s): – Its purpose is to test your assumption stated in the hypothesis – Pre- and post-measure for comparing results – Checking your ideas requires checking on your leading indicators
- 14. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 14 Publish to Your Peers ■ Collaborative learning depends on sharing learnings ■ Publishing also contributes to the author’s learning – as an author you need to reflect and look at your learning from a different perspective
- 15. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 15 Can peer decision-making about promotion support alignment? ◼ Background: – Even very egalitarian companies have hierarchies that require a promotion system. ◼ Hypothesis: – If we use peer decision making to make decisions about promotions, we can separate performance review from decisions such as promotion that have an element of competition. ◼ Experiment: – Pre-survey to assess opinion on promotion policy – Try with a group consent decision making for deciding on bonuses. – Collect spontaneous feedback and post-survey after 3 months. If satisfaction improved, extend to other groups.
- 17. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 17 Looking Back on the Future ◼ Plans are often based on the belief that the future will be the same as the past. ◼ Feedforward thinking helps you look at your assumptions and base your plans on leading indicators not past results. ◼ Probe the future through reflection, hypotheses, and safe-to-fail experiments.
- 18. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 18 Learning Fast Means: Thinking Beyond Agility ◼ And to keep probing, that is… – …reflecting – …hypothesizing – …experimenting – …measuring – …sharing
- 19. @JuttaEckstein | jeckstein.com 19 Many Thanks and… Stay in Touch: Jutta Eckstein | @juttaeckstein https://JEckstein.com | LinkedIn.com/in/juttaeckstein http://agilebossanova.org Translations available in: German, Spanish, Traditional Chinese (Korean & French in progress)