The Logosofia software was utilized to categorize the videos based on significant similarity. Each identified category was then mapped to unveil the most impactful learning pathway. Finally, the categories were mapped to determine the most impactful sequence overall.
Structured Democratic Dialogue Video Reflections
Introduction
The single video that captures the essence of SDD in assaulting the phenomenon of Situational Complexity, which emerges when groups of stakeholders congregate to address wicked problems, is Video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity. This video could also become the substance of a short “elevator speech” to a potential sponsor or client. In the sections that follow, we will discuss each cluster by offering some reflections.
Series 1: Situational Complexity
This series of videos is best watched in the order below. The order was established using the Logosofia software and represents a sequence that will offer the deepest learning.
When we explored the enhancement relationship among the nine affinity clusters, we discovered that the Situational Complexity cluster was the deep driver. In other words, for a better understanding of the videos, it is beneficial to spend some time watching and understanding the concept of Situational Complexity.
The Situational Complexity series contains seven videos starting with Video 9, “Three Types of Complexity,” and ending with Video 26, “Practitioner contribution.” The SDD learner should ideally start watching this series with video 9 and complete the series with video 26.
The learning pathway for this series, as determined with the help of Logosofia, is shown in the influence map below:
It is interesting to notice when one watches this video that it includes a graphic showing the emergence of the phenomenon of Situational Complexity as the superposition of the three types of observational complexities, i.e., objective, subjective, and intersubjective, converging in a Situation Room. These three types are discussed in video 9. and elaborated in Video 7: Intersubjective Complexity and SDD, which is positioned at Level 2 of the influence map.
At Level 2, both videos 7 and 13 are positioned in a cycle of mutual enhancement, which means that they should be watched concurrently because of their complementarity. These are:
Video 7: Intersubjective Complexity & SDD
Video 13: Scientific Foundation of SDD
Video 13 holds significant importance as it establishes the scientific foundation of SDD. It's not just another video in the series, but a key resource that distinguishes SDD as a Third-Phase science of design from First-Phase sciences like physics and chemistry.
The four remaining videos of this series are positioned at Level 1, two of which are in a cycle of mutual enhancement, and they should be watched concurrently.
Situational Complexity, Pt. 1
Situational Complexity, Pt. 2
Domain of Science Model
Practitioner Contribution
Series 2: Tree of Meaning
The mutual enhancement pattern for this series, as determined with the help of Logosofia, is shown in the influence map below.
Trade-Off Analysis
DELPHI Methodology
Tree of Meaning
Dialogue Facilitation
Balancing Cognition w/Emotion
Interpretive Structural Modeling
Diversity of Perspectives
Autonomy & Authenticity
The Dance of SDD
Mistakes in the Design Process
Clarification of Meaning
Change through Linguistics
Evolution Learning & Time Mgt.
Series 3: Defactualization
Eleven videos belong to this series. All of them deal with the concept of defactualization, namely the capacity of human observers to distance themselves from the database of the current situation and imagine a new database. This series contains two videos from one of the greatest system thinkers of the twentieth century, Russel Ackoff. Those two videos are strongly recommended to the students of SDD. In fact, the deep driver of this series is video 49, which corresponds to an interview with Professor Ackoff focusing on an example of the concept of defactualization.
The learning pathway for this series, as determined with the help of Logosofia via the influence map and Table 7 below, is completely linear with six levels and four cycles. The driver at Level 7 is video 49, and a cycle at Level 1, containing videos 37, the “Futures-creative Archetype,” and 41, “Changing the world with SDD.” The interpretation of this enhancement pattern is that to create an ideal future (video 37) and change the world with SDD (video 41), humankind has to defactualize and construct collectively a database of the future. It is strongly recommended that the SDD learner allocates sufficient time to watch all of the videos in this series because, in the design phase of the process, the role of the SDD facilitator is critical in inspiring a group of participants to defactualize.
Defactualization (R. Ackoff)
H. Özbekhan's Mentorship
Defactualization & SDD
SDD as a Movement
Systems Thinking
Resolving a Global Issue
Balancing Deliberative Democracy with Technocracy
True about SDD but Cannot Prove
Plausibility of a Global Constructivist Paradigm
Futures Creative Archetype
Changing the World with SDD
Series 4: Core Planning Team
As shown in the influence map below, all five videos are positioned at Level 1, with video 10 being in a cycle of mutual enhancement with videos 43 and 46. In watching the videos of this series, the SDD student should appreciate the enhancement of meaning among the three videos in the cycle, and watch the other two independently of any enhancement relationship with the other videos in this series.
Framing Generic Questions
Discovery Phase
Framing Triggering Questions
Facility Requirements for SDD
Strategic Management Team
Series 5: Technology Assessment
Because there are only two videos in this series, no mapping was performed.
Tech. & Meaningful Dialogue
Practitioner Considerations
Series 6: Facilitator Role
Because there are only two videos in this series, no mapping was performed.
Why the Sponsor Introduces the Triggering Question
Facilitator & Triggering Questions
Series 7: Literation
From the influence map below, we see that the enhancement pattern for this series has three levels, with videos 6 and 15 in a cycle of mutual enhancement at Level 3 but not influencing the learning pathway. We find video 12 at Level 2 influencing video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity, positioned at Level 1. As we mentioned previously, video 20 is extremely important for the practice of SDD and should be carefully studied by learners of SDD.
Ephemerality & Situational Complexity
Successive Approximations & SDD
Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)
Series 8: Action Plans
Because there are only two videos in this series no mapping was performed.
Alternative Action Scenarios
Action Options
Series 9: Projects
As shown in the influence map below, the enhancement pattern consists of three levels, with video 21 and 22 positioned at Level 3, being the drivers, and video 30 positioned at Level 1.
NW Energy Alliance
Cyprus Wine Villages
High Risk Applications
Benefits & Risks of Tech
SDD as an Endeavor
Conclusion
It was subsequently decided to organize the videos into an expert system by constructing affinity clusters and learning pathways by utilizing the Logosofia software platform. The development of the expert system is in accordance with the principle of systems that states that the whole is more than the sum of its parts, as has been articulated by Professor Russel Ackoff in video 50, “Systems.” We think that the video-based expert system creates new meaning and understanding of the power, the benefits, and the risk arising from the application of SDD by future practitioners. We hope this document and video series will contribute to the deeper appreciation of the SDD for the definition and resolution of wicked problems by engaging groups of stakeholders from all walks of life.
As mentioned previously, the single video that captures in a concise and coherent manner the essence and the power of SDD, to be used for marketing presentations of the methodology is Video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity.