Integrated ~ Autonomy

Move from Either-or to Robust Both-and Operational Solutions (~70 min.)

“One of the favorite maxims of my father was the distinction between the two sort of truths, profound truths recognized by the fact that the opposite is also a profound truth, in contrast to trivialities where opposites are obviously absurd.”
— Hans Bohr, about Niels Bohr

Purposes

In Integrated~Autonomy, participants look for opportunities to boost central integration with local autonomy. It centers on two wicked questions: “What mix of control and freedom will advance our purpose?” and “How can we balance global consistency with local customization?” By learning to view these as complementary forces, we can maintain flexibility in local groups while working within centrally established standards. This structure enacts LS Principle #6, Amplify Freedom and Responsibility.

Two charming, hand-sketched characters stand at the beginning of a winding road. One of them has thread wrapped around their legs, the other offers them scissors—freedom to choose your route, responsibility for where you cut and where you go.

Principle: Amplify Freedom and Responsibility

Five Structural Elements—Min Specs

“Have you ever felt the tension between standardization and customization, or between centralized control and local autonomy? In our work, how are we integrating centrally while enhancing local autonomy? We’re going to tackle these challenges and discover how to move from either-or to more of both!”

Structuring Invitation

Space and Materials

Groups of four chairs around small tables [breakouts of three]. Integrated~Autonomy templates (below) and pens for each F2F participant [digital version for each group in a visual collaboration space].

Integrated~Autonomy Template. 

Participation Distribution

Roles include host [tech host] and participants. There is no minimum group size. Everyone involved in the challenge, both far from and close to the work (central and local) is invited and has an equal opportunity to contribute.

Group Configuration

1-2-4-All

Steps and Time Allocation

Intro: Share the structuring invitation and hand out the Integrated Autonomy template (above) [participants draw their own template]. Display Steps for Integrated Autonomy (below under Collateral Materials). (1 min.)

List Activities: Participants list activities where there are tensions between integrating or centralizing their work and customizing or maintaining local autonomy. For example, in medical treatment, doctors must balance evidence-based recommendations (centralization) with patients’ individual decisions (autonomy). (3 min.)

Combine Lists: Participants form pairs [breakouts of three] to combine key items from their lists [in the visual collaboration space]. (7 min.)

Brainstorm Actions: Pairs join to form quartets [remain in trios]. They pick one activity from the list and brainstorm actions to integrate the activity (Section A) and actions to customize the activity (Section B). (10 min.)

New Actions: The groups brainstorm actions to increase both integration and autonomy and put them in Section C. (20 min.)

Prioritize Actions: Everyone returns to plenary. Invite everyone to review Section C and identify the most promising actions that promote both integration and autonomy. (15 min.)

Plan Follow-Up: The group plans how to move forward and when to evaluate progress. (15 min.)

Taking It Online

Online, use a 1-3-All configuration instead of 1-2-4-All.

Practice Insights

Tips

The tension between central and local perspectives is often hidden. If a group gets stuck or argues, ask each side to adopt the other’s viewpoint and argue from that perspective. As the session progresses, revisit the initial question “How are we integrating centrally while enhancing local autonomy?” Laughter and groans indicate progress.

Riffs and Variations

Substitute “collaboration and competition” for “integration and autonomy.”

Practical Applications

Adapt guidance based on people’s experience. We invite novices to honor the basics, while encouraging more experienced hosts to adapt an LS. In an agile environment, develop distributed version control systems while maintaining code integrity and accommodating local adaptations.

Optional String

Once you identify a solution that promotes both integration and autonomy, use Min Specs to refine the must-dos and must-not-dos for success. String with 9 Whys to connect a tactical solution back to the group’s strategic goals.

Attribution

Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless.

Collateral Materials

Link to supporting materials for Integrated Autonomy.

Integrated Autonomy Steps

  1. Intro: Share the invitation and hand out the Integrated~Autonomy Template (above) [participants draw their own template]. Display the Integrated Autonomy Template. (1 min.)

  2. List Activities — Participants list activities where there are tensions between integrating or centralizing their work and customizing or maintaining local autonomy. (3 min.)

  3. Combine Lists — Participants form pairs [breakouts of three] to combine key items from their lists [in the visual collaboration space]. (7 min.)

  4. Brainstorm Actions — Pairs join to form quartets [remain in trios]. They pick one activity from the list and brainstorm actions to integrate the activity (Section A) and actions to customize the activity (Section B). (10 min.)

  5. New Actions — The groups brainstorm actions to increase both integration and autonomy and put them in Section C. (20 min.)

  6. Prioritize Actions — Everyone returns to plenary. Invite everyone to review Section C and identify the most promising actions that promote both integration and autonomy. (15 min.)

  7. Plan Follow-Up — The group plans how to move forward and when to evaluate progress. (15 min.)

Steps for Integrated~Autonomy.

Microstructural elements of Integrated Autonomy in the constellation format.