OutNav Community meeting - Matter of Focus...© 2020 Matter of Focus® Managing in complex systems Take account of context Build in learning and reflection Partnerships matter Experiment

© 2020 Matter of Focus®

OutNav Community meeting


Appreciating the complexity of your work


Complex systems

Simple Complicated Complex

Baking a cake Building a rocket Raising a child

Linear instructions Expertise Variety and uncertainty in a dynamic environment

Many sets of instructions Interpreting, sensing, navigating

Predictable outcome Specified outcome Aim for outcome, other surprising outcomes may emerge


Complexity in public services

Most ‘wicked’ problems we understand as complex:

• People and place interact unpredictably

• Many moving pieces

• Path-dependency

• Feedback loops


Managing in complex systems

► Take account of context

► Build in learning and reflection

► Partnerships matter

► Experiment and adapt

► Celebrate diverse solutions

► Scale carefully


Navigating complexity

Too simpleToo complex

SIMPLE ENOUGH

COMPLEXENOUGH


Discussion

What challenges have you faced beyond your control?• Share one or two with the group

@matter_of_focus


Navigating complexity with OutNav


Our process to put outcomes into action

Map context and outcomesMap the outcomes that matter to the programme and how they are influenced by context

Audit evidence and develop planHow will you know your project is working and how will you get this evidence?

Track progressBring together data and information to assess how well the programme is progressing to outcomes

Ongoing discussion, reflection, analysis and reportingEmbed learning to improve the project


The iterative OutNav journey


Understand contextAnd why your brilliant work might not lead to success!

ISM Behaviour Change ModelScottish Government (2013)


Surface your challenges and opportunities


Show what needs to be in place for success


Show the links..

Outcome map one

Outcome map

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Child child

Outcome map 2

Child child


Express the relationship between context and outcomes through success criteria


Bring it all together in analysis

• Insert screen shot from OutNav of analysis


Small group discussions

• What aspects of your work has it been helpful to surface in OutNav?

• How might you use OutNav to surface the depth and complexity of your work?


Embedding risks and assumptions in your work

• Option 1. (anyone)• Use the ISM tool to understand the factors that help and hinder us

embedding meaningful outcome evaluation

• How can we express these in risks and assumptions?

• Option 2 (existing OutNav users)• Take it in turns to share examples of important risks and assumptions

• How have you reflected on these in your analysis?

• Are they captured in success criteria? If not, what could you do.


OutNav developments

• Risks and assumptions

• Evidence links

• Updated text editor

• In development:• Auto save on analysis page

• Spell check

• Graphics management

• Summary reports

Documents

OutNav Community meeting - Matter of Focus...© 2020 Matter of Focus® Managing in complex systems Take account of context Build in learning and reflection Partnerships matter Experiment