The Action Framework identifies the context as dynamic. It shows how the context is constantly affected by the actions and behaviors of people and organizations in that context.

Where did the Action Framework come from?

People in the field were having trouble using the Relationship Framework, citing their lack of time to go through the process rigorously. However, it was clear that many of those same people claiming they were not using Do No Harm, were actually using the concepts in creative and exciting ways. What were they doing? The Action Framework was developed from their experience of putting the concepts into practice in a rapid and iterative fashion, but with less structure than the Relationship Framework requires.

Building the Action Framework

The Action Framework is mean to be iterative. People using this model go through it again and again, sometimes daily, but never letting more than a week pass. The loop configuration encourages constant re-evaluation of the context and our work within it. People using this Framework make tweaks and changes to their work constantly because they can check the outcomes in real time.

Much of the action in this Framework takes place as we move around the circle. The arrows are not just guiding our eyes from point to point. They are the point!

We observe impacts as changes in the Dividers and Connectors. Do they get worse or better? Some of the changes we observe are the impacts of an intervention. Tracking the changes in Dividers and Connectors over time allows us to see which ones we are responsible for. We are, after all, trying to have an impact.

Why did the Dividers and Connectors change? We recognize patterns of impacts through the ABCs. We then consider our Options and Opportunities, making use of Critical Detail Mapping. We use the observed ABCs to focus on the right critical details.

We check our work to make sure we developed an Option or Opportunity based on observed ABCs. Then we implement the planning or redesign.

This will have an impact on Dividers and Connectors. We observe to see what changes occur in Dividers and Connectors. And around and around we go!

Previous Page The Relationship Framework
Next Page Using the Do No Harm Frameworks

Related Topics
Using the Action Framework
When to use the Action Framework
Challenges in using the Action Framework
The Do No Harm Frameworks
The Six Lessons of Do No Harm