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 Our SenseMaking Method

Productivity Reframed and Redefined

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.

Their goal is to increase output whilst maintaining quality and optimising task execution.

But software engineering teams aren't factory workers - they are creative problem solvers. They don't copy the same product, they deliver new innovative solutions again and again.

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Optimising tasks execution and measuring output are much less important. Instead, the quality of people interactions and measuring the impact they have on their customers really matters.

From this emerges a new definition of healthy team productivity:

A photo of coach Tobi Tonner presenting at a conference.

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.

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:
Habitual 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. 

Start SenseMaking Now

You can start your journey towards healthy team productivity today - at no cost to you.​

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