Making smarter UX design decisions with the Cynefin framework

In the mid-1980s, Sir Clive Sinclair attempted to revolutionize transportation with the launch of the Sinclair C5, an electrically powered pedal cycle, which ultimately failed due to inadequate market research, poor design choices, and a lack of responsiveness to emerging issues. The article uses Sinclair's experience as a backdrop to introduce the Cynefin framework for design innovation, a tool developed by Dave Snowden to help teams categorize and approach problems based on their complexity. The framework divides problems into five domains—clear, complicated, complex, chaotic, and confused—each requiring distinct strategies for resolution. Emphasizing the importance of flexibility and context in problem-solving, the Cynefin framework guides designers and product teams to better understand and tackle challenges, promoting more informed decision-making through categorization and analysis.