This is a Request For Comments about how to structure doctrine in terms of microdoctrine (a pattern language for implementing and learning doctrine)
Phase: Stop Self Harm
Category: Communication
Principle: Challenge Assumptions
Motivation:
There is little point of doctrine in the organization if no one is willing to challenge it.
Consider these first:
Use A Common Language
Illustrative description:
Challenging assumptions is the duty of everyone at the company. This requires transparency and trust.
Detailed description:
Challenging assumptions may be uncomfortable and difficult. A map helps by separating the person from what they are presenting. Focus the challenge on the map and what is on the map. Celebrate challenge, it will result in better maps and better understanding. No map is “right”, it is an approximation.
Consider the following map
With this simple map, we can start to discuss the landscape. For example, have we represented the user need and are we taking steps to meet that user need? Are we missing something such as an unmet need that we haven’t included? Are we treating components in the right way? Are we using a utility for power? Are we somehow building our own power station as though it’s a core differentiator visible to the user? If so, why? Have we included all the relevant components on the map or are we missing key critical items? We can also start to discuss our anticipations of change. What happens when platform becomes more of a utility? How does this affect us? What sort of inertia will we face?
The challenge is an activity where an external party can help. They can bring an outside perspective to challenge a map created within the company. They could help to introduce new forms of gameplay.
STOP READING, TAKE ACTION
Practices:
Spend Control Introduction
Spend Control Awareness
Spend Control Intelligence
Consider next:
Remove Bias And Duplication
Reproduced and adapted from writings by Simon Wardley under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.