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Glossary

Because most knowledge flow blockers are simply ... words
Glossary Term
Label
id
definition
Source
Ambiguity
term-ambiguity
Ambiguity refers to the quality of being open to more than one interpretation or having multiple meanings. It can arise in language, situations, or concepts where clarity is lacking, leading to confusion or uncertainty.
Argumentation
term-argumentation
Argumentation is the process of presenting reasons or evidence to support a claim or position, often involving logical reasoning and persuasive techniques to influence an audience's beliefs or actions.
Artifact
term-artifact
An artifact is an object made or used by humans, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.
Backchanneling
term-backchanneling
Backchanneling refers to the practice of providing feedback or acknowledgment during a conversation, often through nonverbal cues or brief verbal affirmations. It serves to show engagement, encourage the speaker, and facilitate communication without interrupting the flow of dialogue.
Big Upfront Design
term-big-upfront-design
Big Upfront Design refers to a design approach in which a significant amount of planning and detailed design work is completed before development begins. This methodology typically emphasizes creating comprehensive specifications and architectural designs at the outset, aiming to minimize changes and rework during later stages of the project.
Bikeshedding
term-bikeshedding
Bikeshedding refers to the phenomenon where people spend excessive time and energy on trivial or minor issues while neglecting more important matters. It often occurs in discussions or decision-making processes where participants focus on the details of a simple task rather than addressing the core or complex issues at hand.
Chaos
term-chaos
Chaos is a state of complete disorder and confusion, often characterized by unpredictable behavior and a lack of organization or structure.
Circumstances
term-circumstances
Circumstances refer to the specific conditions or factors surrounding an event, situation, or individual that can influence outcomes or decisions.
Cogent
term-cogent
Cogent refers to an argument or reasoning that is clear, logical, and convincing.
Coherence
term-coherence
Coherence refers to the logical and consistent connection of ideas in a text or discourse, allowing it to be easily understood and followed. It ensures that the parts of a text work together seamlessly, contributing to the overall meaning and clarity.
Complexity
term-complexity
Complexity refers to the state or quality of being intricate or complicated, often involving multiple interconnected parts or factors that make understanding or solving a problem challenging. It can apply to various fields, including mathematics, systems theory, and everyday life.
Condescending
term-condescending
Condescending refers to an attitude or behavior that shows a belief in one's superiority over others, often characterized by a patronizing tone or manner.
Constraint
term-constraint
A constraint is a limitation or restriction that defines the conditions under which a certain process or activity must occur. Constraints can be imposed by rules, laws, or specific requirements that must be adhered to in order to achieve a desired outcome.
Context
term-context
Context refers to the circumstances or factors surrounding an event, statement, or idea that help clarify its meaning or significance. It includes the background information, environment, and situation in which something occurs.
Delusion
term-delusion
A delusion is a firmly held false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact. It often occurs in various mental health disorders and can significantly impact a person's perception of reality.
Derision
term-derision
Derision is the expression of contempt or ridicule towards someone or something.
Effective
term-effective
Effective refers to the ability to produce a desired result or outcome. It signifies efficiency in achieving goals, often with minimal waste of resources or time.
Embodied
term-embodied
Embodied refers to the representation or manifestation of an idea, concept, or quality in a physical or tangible form. It often implies that something abstract is given a concrete presence or experience.
Empathy
term-empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, enabling one to perceive and relate to their emotions and experiences.
Engage
term-engage
Engage refers to the act of participating or becoming involved in an activity or conversation. It can also mean to attract and hold attention or interest.
Epistemic Justice
term-epistemic-justice
Epistemic justice refers to the idea that individuals should have equal rights to contribute to and participate in the production of knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives and experiences, particularly those of marginalized groups, in order to challenge biases and improve the fairness of knowledge practices.
Epistemological myths
term-epistemological-myths
Epistemological myths are misconceptions or false beliefs about the nature and scope of knowledge, including how knowledge is acquired, validated, and understood. These myths can distort our understanding of epistemology, leading to misunderstandings regarding the limits of knowledge, the role of perception, and the relationship between belief and truth.
Experience
term-experience
Experience refers to the knowledge, skills, and understanding gained through involvement in or exposure to events, activities, or situations over time. It encompasses both personal and professional insights acquired through practice and learning.
Flow
term-flow
Flow refers to the smooth and continuous movement of something, often used to describe a state of optimal experience where a person is fully immersed in an activity, feeling energized and focused. In various contexts, it can also refer to the movement of liquids, gases, or ideas in a seamless manner.
Framing
term-framing
Framing refers to the way information is presented and structured, influencing how it is perceived and understood. It involves highlighting certain aspects of a situation while downplaying others, thereby shaping the audience's interpretation and response.
Heuristics
term-heuristics
Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making and problem-solving processes. They help individuals make judgments quickly and efficiently, often relying on prior experiences or general principles rather than exhaustive analysis.
Information
term-information
Information refers to data that is processed, organized, or structured in a way that provides meaning or context. It can be factual or conceptual and is often used to inform decisions, facilitate understanding, or enhance knowledge.
Inquiry
term-inquiry
An inquiry is a process of seeking information, typically through questioning or investigation. It involves exploring a subject or topic to gain understanding or knowledge.
Integration
term-integration
Integration is the process of combining different components or systems to work together as a cohesive whole. In mathematics, it refers to the calculation of integrals, which represent the accumulation of quantities. In various fields, such as software development and business, integration often involves connecting different technologies or processes to improve functionality and efficiency.
Interconnected
term-interconnected
Interconnected refers to the state of being connected with each other, where multiple entities, systems, or components influence or rely upon one another.
Interdependent
term-interdependent
Interdependent refers to a mutual reliance between two or more entities, where each entity is dependent on the other(s) for support, functionality, or sustenance.
Interrelated
term-interrelated
Interrelated refers to the state of being mutually connected or related to one another, where the elements involved influence or depend on each other in some way.
Mindshift
term-mindshift
Mindshift refers to a significant change in one's thinking or perspective, often leading to new understanding, approaches, or behaviors. It involves altering long-held beliefs or attitudes to embrace new ideas or methods, particularly in the context of personal growth, education, or innovation.
Mythopoesis
term-mythopoesis
Mythopoesis is the creation of myths or the process of generating mythological narratives. It often involves weaving together cultural, historical, and symbolic elements to construct stories that explain origins, beliefs, or values within a particular society.
Nonlinear
term-nonlinear
Nonlinear refers to a relationship or function that does not follow a straight line when graphed. In mathematics and systems, it describes equations where changes in the input do not produce proportional changes in the output, often resulting in complex behavior. Nonlinear systems are common in various fields, including physics, biology, and economics.
Nuance
term-nuance
Nuance refers to a subtle distinction or variation in meaning, expression, or response. It highlights the complexity or intricacies of a subject, often requiring careful consideration to fully understand its implications or differences.
Ontology
term-ontology
Ontology is the branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being. It involves the study of concepts such as existence, reality, and the categories of being, often used in philosophy, information science, and artificial intelligence to categorize and understand entities and their relationships.
Paradigm
term-paradigm
A paradigm is a typical example or pattern of something; a model. It often refers to a set of beliefs, values, and practices that shape how individuals or groups understand and interpret the world, particularly in scientific or philosophical contexts.
Perspective
term-perspective
Perspective is the way individuals view or interpret situations, experiences, or concepts based on their background, beliefs, and personal experiences. It shapes how one understands and interacts with the world around them.
Power
term-power
Power is the ability or capacity to influence the behavior of others, control resources, and effect change within a given context. It can manifest in various forms, including political, social, economic, and personal dynamics.
Practice
term-practice
Practice is the repeated exercise of an activity or skill to improve proficiency.
Principle
term-principle
A principle is a fundamental truth, proposition, or assumption that serves as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or reasoning. It often guides actions and decisions within a particular context.
Rationality
term-rationality
Rationality is the quality of being based on or in accordance with reason or logic. It involves the ability to think logically, make judgments based on evidence, and draw conclusions that are coherent and consistent. Rationality is often contrasted with emotions or irrational thoughts, emphasizing a systematic and objective approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
Reasoning
term-reasoning
Reasoning is the mental process of looking for reasons, forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises. It involves logical thinking and the ability to analyze information to make decisions or solve problems.
Relevant
term-relevant
Relevant refers to something that is closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand. It indicates the significance or importance of information or actions in a specific context.
Repositories
term-repositories
Repositories are structured storage locations where data, files, or information can be stored, managed, and retrieved. They are commonly used in software development to hold code, documentation, and project assets, often utilizing version control systems to track changes and collaborate effectively.
Respectful
term-respectful
Respectful refers to showing politeness, consideration, and honor towards others. It involves acknowledging the feelings, rights, and traditions of individuals or groups.
Self-organizing
term-self-organizing
Self-organizing refers to a process in which a system spontaneously arranges itself into a structured and organized pattern or configuration without external direction or intervention. This phenomenon is often observed in complex systems, such as biological organisms, social groups, and certain computational models, where local interactions among components lead to the emergence of global order.
Silos
term-silos
Silos are structures used for storing bulk materials, typically in agriculture to hold grain, fodder, or silage. They can also refer to organizational structures in businesses where different departments or teams operate in isolation from one another.
Sociotechnical
term-sociotechnical
Sociotechnical refers to the interrelationship between social and technical aspects of a system. It emphasizes that both social factors (like human behavior, organizational culture, and societal norms) and technical factors (such as tools, technologies, and processes) must be considered together in the design and implementation of systems to achieve optimal outcomes.
Structures
term-structures
Structures refer to organized arrangements or systems formed by interrelated components. They can be physical, such as buildings and bridges, or abstract, like organizational frameworks and software architectures. Structures provide stability, support, and a framework for functionality in various contexts.
Synthesis
term-synthesis
Synthesis is the process of combining different ideas, influences, or elements to create a new, coherent whole. It often involves integrating various components to form a unified concept or solution.
System
term-system
A system is a set of interconnected components or elements that work together to achieve a specific purpose or function.
Top down bottom up
term-top-down-bottom-up
Top down bottom up refers to two contrasting approaches in various fields, such as management, economics, and decision-making.
Top down: This approach starts from the highest level of an organization or system and moves downward. Decisions and strategies are made by upper management and then communicated to lower levels for implementation.
Bottom up: Conversely, this approach begins at the grassroots level, where input and ideas are generated by lower-level employees or stakeholders. These contributions are then aggregated and considered by higher management in the decision-making process.
Transparency
term-transparency
Transparency refers to the quality of being open, honest, and clear about information, processes, and decisions. It involves providing access to relevant data and ensuring that actions and motivations are visible to stakeholders, promoting trust and accountability.
Understanding
term-understanding
Understanding is the ability to comprehend, grasp, or make sense of something, often involving the interpretation of information, experiences, or ideas. It encompasses cognitive processes that allow individuals to connect concepts, draw conclusions, and apply knowledge in various contexts.
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