10 Takeaways from Jan Chipchase’s Sensemaking For Impact Masterclass

From the founder of Studio D Radiodurans

Below are some takeaways from Sensemaking for Impact, a masterclass led by Jan Chipchase of Studio D Radiodurans that introduces his team’s approach to qual research strategy to generate inspired, prioritized insights, and high quality deliverables.

1. Evolution of understanding: hypothesis →data →information →knowledge →insight →wisdom

• Hypothesis: asking question based on existing frames/assumptions
• Data: collecting observations, quotes, ideas, photos/videos
• Information: giving data structure, synthesis where key points are highlighted
• Knowledge: finding patterns and relationships between parts of info
• Insight: reorganize the data in a way to reveal new perspectives, new way of seeing something
• Wisdom: insights put into a broader external perspective, learning from successful application of insights

Jan proposed “wisdom” as the next step after insight, which referenced knowing when to apply what degree of insights while allowing room for mistakes (which is an opportunity to learn from experience)

2. “We shape tools, then tools shape us” — digital tools prevent us from being fully immersed in the sketchy, exploratory, rough phase where early ideas and divergence happen. Digital notes creates the appearance of being “completed” which make us less willing to throw away bad ideas. A good workflow provides your team a manageable process. Goal is to have a sense of flow, neither anxiety nor boredom

3. Making sure the ratio of time for data collection (observations, connections, artifacts) →sensemaking (synthesis, identifying patterns, iterating on frameworks, reporting) gives much more time for sensemaking

4. People make sense of the world through stories. Reporting involves storytelling to an audience: when you tell a story, gathering a broader perspective on your audience’s values, culture and language…