Sense-making in Complexity

The focus of this course is on providing new tools, conceptual (theoretical framework) and practical (procedures and methodology), to be able to recognize the emergence of complexity in the challenges we face as humans and as professionals, to describe it and communicate it, and to address it with new means in innovation scenarios.

Processes of innovation are characterized, more often than not, by the presence of uncertainty, a growing number and diversity of actors and elements, and by the surprise of a changing environment. The way that these elements and their effects overlap and influence each other in dynamic circumstances do not yield to linear approaches and escape the assumption that each problem can be reduced to existing and widely applied solutions. In most cases it is rather the unique redescription, via new theoretical frameworks, of contexts and narratives, that discloses a path to innovation. Designers, engineers, managers and educators need in their hands new frameworks that will support their sense-making in their increasingly complex, dynamic and socially influenced challenges.

The science of complexity along the last three decades has been developed into a theoretical framework for the study of complex adaptive systems – composed of numerous and diverse interconnected elements or ‘agents’ in interaction – and applied from bacteria in biological processes, to individual in social networks and businesses in an economy. The resulting approach provides fascinating clues into the description and understanding of specifically those situations where linear approaches fail us – for example wherever technology meets the social and is determined by it in unpredictable ways, which in our highly connected society is widely the case across all disciplines.

Part of the necessary equipment to face complexity is the revision of relevant processes of sense-making – intended here as the process of individuating patterns in experience and giving them meaning, as a basis to the aggregation of knowledge and the production of relevant responses in novel situations. The introduction of new processes of sense-making is supported in the course by the hands-on approach of Design Thinking – a methodology for research and ideation used in collaborative and innovative projects which allow teams to better share and practically test insight into novel challenges.

The outcome of the course will result in a project aimed to resolve a challenge related to the particular student’s interest and discipline. The project will be developed, alone or in teams, in class along the second part of the course, using the tools provided. The exam will consist in the presentation of the project.

Indicative Syllabus