Structured Design Process (SDP)

Last post I discussed how the NGT and Delphi methods could be used to facilitate discussions of complex problems and expressing ideas for future things.  I still believe the Delphi method will work best for the challenges associated with Humans as Internet Nodes, but after reading about the Structured Design Process (Schreibman & Christakis, 2007) I found some complementary characteristics that could be beneficial.

This first characteristic is a well-defined ontology.  When dealing with challenges on a global scale, an ontology for organizing and representing dialogues as they evolve is imperative to ensure people from diverse backgrounds and cultures are using the same vocabulary and symbols (for visual thinkers) to represent the same things.  Schreibman and Christakis’ ontology is shown in this graphic.

We can use this ontology as part of our discussions with respect to Humans as an Internet Node.  Some quick thoughts for this…

Fields:

Data Processing – how do we see (if visual) or access data from the Internet?

Human Interface – how do we make the queries for data?  Or, does our node intuit what we will be asking?

Safety: how do we become a node and maintain personal safety and the safety of others?

The Fields may also be useful in categorizing our thoughts into Forces.  For instance, the safety field is also a force which will contribute to the success or failure of this vision.

Profiles:  these would be subtopics or groupings of our ideas under each of the fields.

Plausibility Maps and Pathways:  I like this feature.  This is very similar to use case analysis and scenario exploration when developing a Concept of Operation.

Superpostion:  allocating maps and pathways to fields and profiles.

The Structured Design Process (SDP) may also be used to support planning for innovation and change.  The general SDP flow is shown here.

The need for innovation or change is driven by a complex challenge.  In order to begin the planning process you must fully understand what the problem is that needs to be solved.  A well-framed question is essential to this process as John Dewey stated, “a problem well put is half solved.”  The rest of the process is focused on ensuring the entire group understands the problem and provides input.  The main point is to avoid Groupthink and to come up with a decision that each individual within the group can take ownership of.

References:

http://www.harnessingcollectivewisdom.com/sdp_process.html

Schreibman, V, and A N Christakis. "New Agora: New Geometry of Languaging and New Technology of Democracy: The Structured Design Dialogue Process." International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies 1, no. 1 (2007): 15-31.