In this course we will explore a new type of organisational structure, one better suited to delivering effective strategy in situations of complexity.

In the process, we will engage with questions of power, decision making, conflict, and co-creation.

We are all familiar with functions in organisations such as “human resources,” “accounting and finance,” “project management” and “marketing.”

We will introduce you to an alternative framing and structure for organisations working with complexity.

We will share the idea of four “stacks” or functions that need to be met by any organisation or team wanting to be effective in responding to complex challenges.

These stacks include:

Innovation

Capacity

Information

Governance

Over the course of 3 x 90 minute sessions, we will introduce you to each stack, the purpose of each stack and an explanation of how to design the stack.

Learning Objectives

  • The Four "Stacks"and their relationship to inputs, outputs and evaluation

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Welcome to the course - Read this first!
  • 2

    Session 1 - 8th Feb

    • Slides of session 1

    • Session 1 - recording
  • 3

    Session 2 - 10th Feb

    • Session 2 - Slides

    • Session 2 - recording
  • 4

    Session 3 - 12th Feb

    • Session 3 - recording

    • Session slides - Intro to the Architecture of Complexity Feb full
  • 5

    Reading Materials

    • Complexity_-_A_Guided_Tour

Who is this course for?

“This is one of those courses that I'm leaving thinking "everyone should take this! The world would absolutely be a better place if we all 'got' the concepts being offered here.", and I think that's especially true if you're a leader, decision maker, facilitator, or have any structural power where you work. If you're on the fence, I say jump in! We need you to get this.” ~ Aimee, Participant, Foundations of Complexity 1

This course is for anyone who finds themselves struggling to understand the nature of changes sweeping the globe, many of which impact us personally and professionally. You might be working in the public sector, the nonprofit sector or the business community.

It is especially valuable for those working professionally in situations of complexity needing clear, jargon free language to understand and communicate why these situations are the way they are.

This is an introductory course, which means that you don’t need any particular professional or technical background, but you may benefit from reading some of the key texts from our reading list before the course starts.

How is this course different from other courses?

The foundation for all of our courses at Complexity University is practice.

We have two decades of practical experience working on many of the world’s most complex challenges. Unlike many courses, we do not simply teach cut and paste “best practice.” We invite you into what can be called “reflexive practice,” where we together reflect critically on what practices are most appropriate for you and the context you’re in.

Our courses are synchronous, which means no canned lectures and no passive learning. Our group sessions are live, with plenty of interaction and space for discussion.

Who, when, and how much?

The sessions will be run by a diverse group of Faculty. Click here for Faculty Info

Schedule

The sessions will take place via Zoom at 1500 GMT(London)/1000 EST (New York)/2030 IST (Delhi). Check www.worldtimebuddy.com to find when this is for you.

Each session will last for 90 minutes and take place via Zoom.

Session 1 - 8th Feb

Session 2 - 10th Feb

Session 3 - 12th Feb

Cost

We believe that this knowledge about facing complex challenges should be available to all regardless of class background, age, academic level, etc . So all our courses are offered to you in the spirit of gift culture (contribute what you can). This doesn't mean the course is 'free'. This means we invite you to choose an amount that you feel able to afford, or feel the course is worth. This enables us to offer the course to a wider range of participants than if it were to be offered at a fixed price.

We’ve put some suggested amounts in the sign up - If you belong to an organisation then we suggest choosing a larger amount to enable others to participate at a lower cost.

We offer Scholarships for all our courses.

WE WILL NOT TURN ANYONE AWAY DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY.