thinking-cynefin

Classify problems into Cynefin domains and map them to decision approaches.

941|129|Updated Jan 28, 2026

Search Tags:#complexity #framework #risk-management #decision-making #cynefin #domain-assessment

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/tjboudreaux/cc-thinking-skills --skill thinking-cynefin

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: thinking-cynefin
Source: https://github.com/tjboudreaux/cc-thinking-skills/tree/main/skills/thinking-cynefin
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tjboudreaux/cc-thinking-skills --skill thinking-cynefin

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Cynefin helps teams quickly identify the nature of a problem and choose an appropriate decision and action framework to apply.

Core Features & Use Cases

Domain assessment: classify problems into Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Disorder and determine recommended practices.
Guided decision mapping: translate domain into a chosen approach (sense-categorize-respond, probe-sense-respond, act-sense-respond, etc.).
Practical workflows: applicable to project planning, incident response, product strategy, and organizational design.

Quick Start

Classify the current problem into a Cynefin domain and select the corresponding decision approach.

Frequently Asked Questions about thinking-cynefin

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

What is the Cynefin framework and how does it help with decision-making?▼

The Cynefin framework is a sense-making model that classifies problems into Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Disorder domains to help teams choose appropriate decision-making and action approaches.

How do I classify a problem into the right Cynefin domain?▼

To classify a problem into a Cynefin domain, assess the environment's characteristics to determine if it is Clear, Complicated, Complex, Chaotic, or Disorder, then select the corresponding sense-and-respond approach.

When should I use Cynefin for project planning and risk management?▼

Use Cynefin for project planning and risk management when operating in uncertain environments, as it maps domain assessments to actionable workflows and domain-appropriate methods for resilience planning.

Can I apply the Cynefin framework to incident response and product strategy?▼

Yes, you can apply the Cynefin framework to incident response and product strategy, translating the assessed domain into a chosen approach like act-sense-respond or probe-sense-respond for practical execution.

What is the difference between clear, complicated, and complex problem domains in Cynefin?▼

In the Cynefin framework, Clear problems have known solutions requiring sense-categorize-respond, Complicated requires expert analysis, and Complex requires probe-sense-respond to navigate uncertain environments safely.

Are there limitations to using Cynefin for domain assessment?▼

Cynefin domain assessment operates at an intermediate implementation depth, meaning it guides method selection and decision mapping without providing the granular operational tools needed to execute the chosen approach.