Our SenseMaking Method
Rethinking and Redefining Productivity
Most of us don't work on production lines in factories anymore. Yet, the way we think of productivity hasn't changed that much over the last 150 years.
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In a factory, people create copies of the same product day-in and day-out. They repeat the same actions, practice processes and tasks to a specified quality.
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Their goal is to maintain a high output at the same level of quality and optimise the efficiency of executing tasks.
But software engineering teams aren't working in a factory. They aren't producing the same product again and again.
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In stark contrast to a production line, creating digital products is a creative process. Teams continuously explore how their solutions impact the their customers. They effectively create new products again and again.
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Instead of measuring how well engineering teams execute tasks and amount of output they create, the areas of focus switch to the quality of the environment that teams operate in and the value they create for their customers using their creativity.
From this emerges a new definition of healthy team productivity:
Teams are productive when they are using their expertise and problem-solving skills efficiently and creatively to impact positive change in relation to their customers' pain points, desires or needs.
Tobi Tonner
How Does SenseMaking Increase Productivity?
When individuals come together to work in teams, the quality of their interactions directly determines the quality of the products they create. To increase productivity means to increase the quality of interactions.
​​​​SenseMaking is our method to increase the quality of interactions. It's rooted in cultivating curiosity and kindness - about yourself, your peers and your customers.
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Healthy team productivity emerges once needs of the customer, the needs of the team and your own needs are in balance.
How does SenseMaking work?
SenseMaking operates at three levels: mindset, habits and connection.
Working on mindset will create awareness around the habits that drive behaviour.
Changing habits will lead to better connection, which in turn fuels growth.
Improving each of these levels will increase the quality of interactions within the team and with the customer. This is what drives productivity.
Mindset Level
For productivity to emerge, teams need to be recognise the importance of their mindset.
The way they think about their work will either block or boost their ability to succeed.
Purpose:
Customer Value
Every team exists because they create a product for a customer.​
A team is productive if they create value for their customer.
Thinking:
Multiple Realities
Human experiences are unique. Our senses and brains all work differently.​
A team is productive if they explore their realities and agree on a way forward.
Action:
Habitiual Behaviour
Research shows that we repeatedly do what we have done before and not what is needed.​
A team is productive if they stop habits that block them and adopt ones that suit their situation.
Habit Level
Practicing this mindset requires foundational habits that are essential on the journey towards healthy productivity.
We Are Customer Focussed
We are curious about our customer's needs, desires and pain points.
We develop solutions that drive value for our customer.
We evaluate how our work impacts our customer.
We Share And Explore Perspectives
We are curious about our experiences - our needs, desires and pain points.
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We learn from our experiences and adjust our workplace as needed.
We evaluate how well each team member can contribute their unique abilities.
We Reflect On Actions and Impact
We understand that habits need to change on our journey towards productivity.
We are curious about our current habits and support each other to establish new habits.
We evaluate how well we grow healthy team habits.
Connection Level
Teams can only practice and establish new habits if team members are well connected. Improving connections requires foundational skills.
The quality of connectedness within a team is a representation of their level of trust.
We Listen With Curiosity
We listen to our customer, we listen to our peers, we listen to ourselves.
We are curious about our personal needs, desires and pain points.
We Communicate With Confidence
We share our perspective about the customer, our team and ourselves.
We share what we need, what drives us and what we are struggling with.
We Challenge With Respect
We explore our perspectives with rigorous debate.​
We make decisions that balance the customer's, team's and our personal needs.