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How to Think Clearly When Everything Feels Messy: The Cynefin Framework in Plain English

Michael Lee, MBA
3 days ago
3 min read

Have you ever found yourself facing a tough situation and thought,"Why isn't this working? This approach usually works!"

Maybe you're treating a messy problem like a neat one. That’s where the Cynefin Framework comes in — a tool to help us understand what kind of problem we’re dealing with before we rush into action.

Let’s break it down in human terms — no jargon, no theory overload. Just simple stories and everyday logic.

🔍 Why We Need Different Lenses for Different Problems

Imagine you’re trying to fix a problem at work:

Sales are down.
Your team is miscommunicating.
A project keeps missing deadlines.

Your instinct might be to:

“Figure out the root cause and fix it.”

But what if the root cause isn’t clear? Or the problem keeps shifting? Or worse — trying to “fix” it using traditional logic actually makes it worse?

Enter the Cynefin Framework (pronounced "kuh-nev-in"), created by Dave Snowden, to help us make sense of complexity.

🧠 The 5 Types of Situations (a.k.a. “Domains”)

1. Clear (or Obvious): Do it by the book

🧩 What it is: Straightforward, known problems with known solutions.

🛠️ Example: Following a recipe to boil an egg.

✅ What works: Best practices. Just follow the steps.

⛔️ What not to do: Overthink or reinvent the wheel.

2. Complicated: Ask the expert

🧩 What it is: There is a right answer, but you need analysis or expertise.

🛠️ Example: Fixing your car or planning a multi-city business trip.

✅ What works: Analysis, expert input, standard procedures.

⛔️ What not to do: Guess your way through.

3. Complex: Try, learn, adapt

🧩 What it is: There’s no clear answer — only patterns that emerge over time.

🛠️ Example: Building a team culture or launching a new product.

✅ What works: Probe (experiment), Sense (observe), Respond (adapt).

⛔️ What not to do: Expect quick fixes or total control.

4. Chaotic: Act fast and stabilize

🧩 What it is: Crisis mode. Everything’s out of control.

🛠️ Example: Fire in the building. Website crashes. MRT system failure.

✅ What works: Immediate action to regain control. Then investigate.

⛔️ What not to do: Freeze or spend time overanalyzing.

5. Disorder: You're unsure which zone you're in

🧩 What it is: You haven’t yet figured out what kind of problem this is.

✅ What works: Step back, look for clues, categorize the situation.

🌡️ Solid, Liquid, Gas – A Metaphor to Make This Stick

Dave Snowden’s latest take uses a cool metaphor:

Solid = Clear → Everything is structured and stable.
Liquid = Complicated → Still organized, but more flexible.
Gas = Complex → No fixed shape; unpredictable.
Triple Point = Where things shift and cross over.

It reminds us that problems aren’t static. They evolve. What was clear might become chaotic. What seemed complicated might actually be complex.

🌍 Real-Life Examples: Cynefin in Action

📆 Example 1: Dealing with Remote Work Conflicts

Your remote team is miscommunicating.

If you treat this as a Clear problem (“Let's set new meeting rules”), you may overlook deeper causes like burnout, time zones, or unclear expectations.

You're likely in the Complex domain:

Try different formats: async updates, silent meetings, flexible hours.
Observe what works.
Involve your team and adapt.

🚇 Example 2: Singapore's MRT Breakdown

Remember the major MRT breakdowns? Trains stalled, passengers stranded, tempers flared.

The early response? Investigate root causes. Review engineering logs. Consult experts.

That’s Complicated thinking — but the situation was clearly Chaotic:

People needed real-time info.
Commuters needed help on the ground.
Emotions were running high.

What should have happened:

Act immediately: Deploy buses. Issue alerts. Reassure the public.
Once stable, shift into investigation mode.

This is where Cynefin shines: Misreading the domain = Misfiring the response.

✅ Quick Cheat Sheet

	Clues You’re In It	What Works Best
Clear	Everyone knows what to do	Checklists, SOPs
Complicated	You need expertise to decide	Experts, analysis
Complex	Can’t predict outcomes clearly	Experiments, learning
Chaotic	Urgent, fast-moving, out of control	Quick action, stabilize
Disorder	You’re not sure where you are	Step back, assess context

🤝 Everyday Applications Beyond Work

This framework isn’t just for leaders and consultants.

Parenting a toddler throwing a tantrum? That’s often Chaotic.
Teaching a new topic where every student reacts differently? Complex.
Planning a holiday with multiple generations? Could be Complicated, or even Complex!