The Power of Hexis in Complex Systems: From Cooks to Chefs

In the world of Agile and complex systems, effective collaboration is essential. That’s where Hexis comes into play—a simple yet powerful tool designed to enhance how we approach challenges and decision-making in dynamic environments. So, what exactly is a Hexi, and how can it elevate your Agile practices?

Let’s dive into the concept of Hexis and explore how these tools can transform you from a recipe-following cook into a creative, context-driven chef.

What is a Hexi?

A Hexi is more than just a shape—it’s a method of thinking and collaborating. Its hexagonal design allows for seamless integration with other Hexis, symbolizing how different approaches and perspectives can come together to form a cohesive strategy.

Each Hexi card represents a specific principle or concept from various schools of thought. For example:

Dave Snowden’s Cynefin Framework: A tool for understanding complexity and decision-making in uncertain environments. SC the Dog: A methodology that I had the pleasure of contributing to, focusing on adaptive systems. Extreme Programming: In development, with a focus on agile engineering practices.

These cards are meant to be combined and adapted based on your unique situation, allowing you to tackle complex adaptive systems with agility and creativity.

Why a Hexagon?

The hexagon, or “Hexi,” is a perfect shape for collaboration. Its sides fit together seamlessly, symbolizing the way various methodologies and approaches can work in harmony. Just as hexagons in nature form strong, interlocking structures, Hexis allow you to combine different ideas to create a robust and adaptable system.

From Recipes to Masterpieces: Don’t Be a Cook, Be a Chef

The most powerful lesson I’ve learned from working with Hexis is the distinction between being a cook and being a chef.

The Cook

A cook is someone who follows recipes to the letter. They open a cookbook, follow the instructions, and expect a predictable outcome. This approach might work in stable, predictable environments, but in complex systems, where unpredictability is the norm, following a recipe doesn’t always cut it. You might get stuck in rigid thinking or miss the nuances of the situation.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, ticking off tasks from a to-do list without fully understanding the context, you might be stuck in “cook” mode.

The Chef

A chef, on the other hand, creates. They understand the ingredients, the tools at their disposal, and the environment they’re working in. They don’t just follow a recipe—they adapt, innovate, and craft something new based on the circumstances. In the world of complex systems, this is exactly the mindset we need.

When you work with Hexis, you become a chef. You look at the unique context of your situation, assess what’s happening, and pull from different methodologies and practices to create a tailored solution.

This transition from cook to chef is crucial when dealing with complexity. Instead of blindly following a single framework, you take elements from various approaches and apply them based on your context.

Practical Example

When I was involved in developing SC the Dog, I didn’t rely solely on one method. I had to pull in various approaches from my experience, from Agile to systems thinking, and blend them together. The result was something far more adaptable and effective for the specific challenges we faced. That’s the power of being a chef!

Hexis as Memory Devices: Helping You Stay Sharp

Another key benefit of working with Hexis is that they serve as memory devices. In the fast-paced world of Agile, where decisions need to be made quickly, it’s easy to overlook critical details or lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where Hexis can play an essential role. Each card acts as a reminder or a prompt, helping you think clearly and stay aware of the key factors at play.

How to Use Hexis in PracticeAssess the Situation: Look at the complexity of the problem you’re facing. Is it a simple, complicated, or complex challenge? Based on that, choose the appropriate Hexi card.Combine Approaches: Once you’ve identified the challenge, you can combine practices from different Hexi cards. For example, you might take a principle from Dave Snowden’s Cynefin framework and pair it with a technique from Extreme Programming.Adapt on the Fly: Stay flexible. If something isn’t working, swap out a Hexi card and try a different approach. Remember, you’re the chef here—you have the freedom to adjust as needed.Scaling with Hexis: Tackling Complex Adaptive Systems

One of the standout features of Hexis is their ability to scale. Whether you’re dealing with a small team or an entire organization, Hexis can be combined and adapted to fit the complexity of the system you’re working within.

Imagine you’re facing a complex adaptive system where change is constant, and no single approach can address all the challenges. In such a scenario, you might start by using a Hexi based on the Cynefin framework to map out the complexity. Then, you could incorporate elements of Extreme Programming to streamline development processes, while pulling in techniques from SC the Dog to improve team collaboration and communication.

By scaling Hexis in this way, you can break down seemingly insurmountable problems into manageable chunks, each addressed by a different approach or methodology. The result is a system that can evolve and adapt to change, rather than being bogged down by rigid processes or frameworks.

Personal Experience with Scaling

When I was working with a large team on a complex project, we found ourselves constantly running into roadblocks using traditional methods. By introducing Hexis, we were able to map out the complexities, identify where each approach could help, and scale our efforts to meet the challenge. The adaptability of Hexis helped us navigate through a labyrinth of uncertainties and achieve success.

Recommendations for Agile Practitioners

If you’re an Agile practitioner looking to elevate your approach, here’s how you can start using Hexis:

Embrace Flexibility: Don’t lock yourself into one way of thinking. Use Hexis to explore different methods and adapt them to your specific context.Think Beyond Recipes: Move away from following step-by-step instructions. Use Hexis to create your own unique approach to challenges.Scale Thoughtfully: Whether you’re working with a small team or a large organization, scale your Hexis combinations to match the complexity of your environment.

Final Thoughts

The journey from cook to chef is about more than just following instructions—it’s about understanding the nuances of your environment, being flexible, and creatively combining approaches to address complex challenges. With Hexis, you can unlock new levels of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability.

So, the next time you’re faced with a complex problem, don’t just reach for the recipe book. Pull out your Hexis and start thinking like a chef.

By adopting this mindset, you’ll not only improve your decision-making but also foster a more collaborative and adaptive culture within your team. And that’s where the real magic of Hexis lies.

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