This the eighth in our series from Chaordic Commons describing a their process for creating synergic organizations. I recommend using their process with ORTEGRITY for maximum leverage. See: 1) Purpose 2) Principles 3) Participants 4) Organizational Concept 5) Constitution 6) Practices 7) Phases
The Chaordic Design Process
Purpose – A clear, commonly understood statement of that which identifies and binds the community together as worthy of pursuit.
Principles – Clear, commonly understood statements of how Participants will conduct themselves in pursuit of Purpose.
Participants –The members of the community necessary to its effective initiation and continuance — all relevant and affected parties.
Organizational Concept — Characterization of participant relationships that all can trust to be just, equitable and effective in achieving the Purpose in accord with the Principles.
Constitution – Codification of the Concept specifying rights, obligations and relationships of all Participants, giving rise to the organization as a legal entity.
Practices – Activities, products and services through which the Participants pursue the organization’s Purpose and create value.
Process Notes
- Process is iterative.
- Team members are stewards.
- Probe assumptions with rigor and respect.
- Gently push for radically new perspectives.
- Seek balance among creative tensions.
- Recognize what is “good enough for now.”
- Be comfortable with conflict, frustration, ambiguity and confusion.
Conditions for Success
- Sense of crisis or opportunity
- Leadership and champions
- Dedicated working group
- Broad communication and engagement
- Resources – Money, time, attention
- Openness, curiosity, imagination
- Will to succeed, grace to compromise
- Interplay of design and practice
- Build the core team that will see this all the way through (provide continuity and passion).
- Build a set of people who can communicate the potential of the effort to those not currently involved.
- Within each phase, build the critical mass for the following phase.
- Stay rigorous to the principles and process, and train your technique and that of key leadership.
- Model in your actions the ultimate goal as best you can.
- Remember that no step will be perfect, but avoid compromising principle whenever possible.
- Inclusive.
- Multi-centric and distributive.
- Self-organizing and self-evolving.
- Participant-owned and participant-governed.
- Diverse and adaptive.
- Strongly cohesive, with an unshakable focus on common purpose and core principles.
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