FRAMING

On 14th March, u.lab-S teams came back together online to continue building on the work that had been carried out during the previous 3D mapping phase, where teams had begun working hands-on to map out their respective systems.

In this new phase, instead of using objects, teams are now engaging in a deep dive that focuses on sensemaking from the variety of observations that people gathered in February, using a powerful Social Presencing Theater (SPT) practice known as 4D mapping.

4D Mapping is a method we use at the Presencing Institute with groups or clients who are looking to gain new insights about their own system. We have used it across systems, sectors and cultures - from large multi-national companies in Asia to local and regional governments in Europe, and many others. This involves using one's own body to step into the field and embody the various parts of the system, thus acquiring a deeper felt sense of the transformation journey, that includes the time dimension.

The Live Session opened with Adam Yukelson and Otto Scharmer providing the framing and overview of the process, followed by a live demonstration of 4D mapping facilitated by Arawana Hayashi, featuring a Berlin-based u.lab-S team. In Arawana's words, 4D mapping is "an invitation to be loyal to the body, versus trying to fix something with our rational minds".

The three outcomes to be expected from a 4D mapping session are:

1. the creation of a deeper systems map
2. the detection of prototyping areas to investigate
3. the uncovering of necessary stakeholders that need to be involved

Why is 4D mapping especially effective? Because:

• it is fast - the process will typically last 2-3 hours
• it offers a deep scan of the current system, a sort of MRI of the collective
• it creates a language to address the disconnects

 

CASE & INSIGHTS 

The 4D mapping was applied to a case in Portugal, where a u.lab-S team is working on an initiative to bring more mindfulness into the field of education. The system suffers from teacher pressure and burnout, conflictual communication in schools and families, children that get excluded from the system. Elements that emerged from this case of 4D mapping were:

1. Sadness, felt in the system for the youth who had dropped out of school
2. A potential for connection between the school dropout, the students and the u.lab-S team

 

WHAT’S NEXT

In April, u.lab-S teams will be moving towards exploring prototyping methodologies and conducting prototyping experiments. We look forward to sharing more news with the wider Presencing Institute community about the happenings, learnings and highlights of the u.lab-S as the program unfolds. 

You can keep track of all u.lab-S updates here.