Understanding Context Using Causal Loop Diagramming
Details
Have you struggled to explain and have people accept that giving teams the time and space to focus on quality contributes to long-term business value?
Do you find discussions on how to improve your organization's performance often devolve into endless conversations with very little meeting of the minds?
-- More Context --
Many of us have discovered trying to change culture and other outcomes through force of will seldom makes for lasting change. On any given topic, one can move the needle for a little while, but the result seldom lasts.
To effectively change outcomes in a complex system, one must first understand the system with enough depth to understand how various structural elements influence each other, and how this in turn drives the current outcomes. One will then in a better position to judge the levers of greatest change.
This is where causal loop diagrams (CLDs) become extremely useful. The syntax of a causal loop diagram is simple enough to be quickly understood, and yet just rich enough to facilitate deep discussions. It takes some practice with system modeling before it becomes more natural. The learning objective of this brief workshop is to provide enough practice for you to feel more comfortable using CLDs yourself.
-- About James ---
James Carpenter is a LeSS-certified trainer, agile coach, software engineer, and author who grew up on a Texas dairy farm. His coaching is grounded by the many years he spent as a hands-on software engineer and manager, along with a great deal of academic study, and in-the-trenches transformation work. He is focused on large LeSS and LeSS-Huge organizational transformations.
Learn more about having James deliver a private or public Certified LeSS Practitioner in-person course anywhere on the globe.