The Menagerie Principles
A metaphor to solve problems inspired by pets
An off-the-shelf process can only take you so far. You will eventually reach the limit of what it can achieve in your specific context. When that happens, you must reject certain aspects of the process and find your way forward.
The Menagerie Principles, are the collective efforts to transform undesirable conditions into desirable ones. At its core, this framework leverages the metamorphic traits and behaviours of three symbolic animals: the cat, the dog, and the rat. Each represents a crucial aspect of creation and problem-solving, working strategically to achieve optimal outcomes. It is my initial stab at creating a metaphorical framework inspired by design thinking, lean, and agile methodologies, viewed through the lens of the icebreaker question: “Are you a cat or dog person?”
Menagerie
The Menagerie represents the interactions between three mindsets which encompass continuous discovery, strategic preparation, and effective execution.
The infinity diagram above represents the flow through RAT, CAT, and DOG. By answering questions, we gain knowledge, which allows us to create a clear direction. This enables us to act and receive feedback from our actions, which either clarifies our direction or raises more questions.
Conditions
Conditions refer to the states or situations that require transformation. An undesirable condition represents challenges or inefficiencies, while a desirable condition is the improved state achieved through a Deming Cycle (plan > do > check > act). The Menagerie Principles highlight the mindsets needed to manage these conditions effectively, ensuring that the outcomes are beneficial and sustainable.
The CAT RAT and DOG symbolise three dimensions of working towards optimal conditions in complex environments. While they are particularly relevant to product design and development, I have defined them in ways that extend their usefulness to various contexts. These symbols can be applied to an individual, a team, or an organisation’s journey towards desirable conditions:
CAT: Conditioning, Alignment, and Triage
Efficiency comes from preparation and reflection.
Conditioning:
The act of articulating desirable and undesirable conditions, identifying the vital signs of deviation, and drivers to measure progress.
Alignment:
The act of creating clarity regarding what needs to be done, the dependencies involved, and the methods of execution.
Triage:
The act of comprehending the state of play, given the information available, and formulating strategies to move forward.
Traits
Independent:
Like cats, who often roam and hunt alone, CATs promote autonomy by ensuring alignment and direction clarity.
Agile:
Like cats are nimble and quick to react, CATs are adaptable and can pivot swiftly in response to new information and changing circumstances.
Territorial:
Like cats that mark and defend their territory, CATs ensure correct resource allocation, ensure the reproduction of success, maintain communication lines and set clear boundaries.
“We achieve desirable conditions by understanding the why, the what, and the how.”
A Good CAT
Clear Goals:
Clearly defined success criteria and measurable goals.
Shared Understanding:
There is confidence in the work to be done why it should be done and who and how they benefit as well as a clearly defined target condition to assess the work against.
Effective Prioritisation:
There is an ability to assess continuously and prioritise tasks based on current information and impact.
Resource Protection:
Resources are efficiently allocated and distributed sustainably, and successful strategies are replicated.
RAT Stage: Remove, Analyse, and Test
It doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to be verified
Remove
The act of minimising waste and uncertainty.
Analyse
The act of processing feedback for actionable insights.
Test
The act of validating assumptions.
Traits
Resourceful:
Like rats who find ways to make the most of their surroundings, RATs are similarly adept at utilising available resources to get the answers needed effectively and efficiently.
Empathetic:
Like rats who are highly empathetic creatures, displaying remarkable empathy-driven behaviour. RATs leverage this empathy to understand and address the needs and challenges of others, finding solutions to complex problems in innovative ways.
Quick Learners:
Like rats, who possess remarkable learning abilities and can rapidly acquire new skills and information. RATs should quickly learn and adapt, rapidly acquiring the knowledge to solve problems efficiently.
“We recognise that we can increase our chances of creating desirable conditions when we remove uncertainty and waste through rapid exploration and validation of assumptions.”
A Good RAT
Clarity
The outcome of RAT work helps to focus the direction towards the target condition.
Defined
The RAT work and its intended outcomes are predefined.
Actionable
Work has a bearing on what needs to be done, and the insights gathered from RATs directly feed into achieving desirable conditions.
Economic
The quality of the work lies in the insights acquired and the ability to get answers efficiently without excessive use of resources.
DOG Stage: Deliver, Operationalise, and Guarantee
We know what, how and why it should be done. Now let’s get it done.
Deliver
The act of creating solutions that move things closer towards desired conditions.
Operationalise
The act of ensuring what is delivered can be consistently done at scale.
Guarantee
The act of ensuring high standards of quality to maintain the longevity of desirable conditions.
Traits
Loyal
Like a loyal dog, DOGs are committed to the mission and dedicated to delivering value.
Protective
Like dogs who are protective of those they are loyal to; similarly, DOGs are guardians of quality and protect against the degradation of positive behaviour.
Disciplined
Like how a disciplined dog is a good dog. DOGs that train and seek positive feedback are more likely to produce quality work and achieve desirable conditions.
“We recognise that we can create desirable conditions, at scale, through consistent high standards of quality”
A Good DOG
Positive Impact
The solutions meet or exceed the expectations of the outcome of the desired condition.
Scalable Processes
Operational practices are continually improving and scalable, ensuring consistent and reliable delivery.
High Standards
Safety, security, quality, and reliability are prioritised, maintaining high standards throughout.
Choreographed
Efforts are well-coordinated and synchronised, ensuring all aspects of the project are executed seamlessly and efficiently.
Using the menagerie principles, one can easily visualise ways to perform work, allowing for a more fluid approach towards achieving desirable conditions and the ability to integrate these principles into existing behaviours.
This is one way to visualise the work, with CAT (consideration) as the constant between RAT (answering questions and validating assumptions) and DOG (delivering work), while continuously getting feedback and moving towards desirable conditions.
I realise I’ve failed to emphasise the need for continual iteration. Although it’s implied, it’s not explicitly stated. The image above mirrors the idea of a dual-track agile approach, where validation and clarity of work are done before operationalising, but all activities are performed iteratively.
Another thing to note is that the menagerie can occur between thinking about an action and the action itself. For instance, walking on suspect ice involves constantly assessing (CAT), with every step, whether the ice will break. Sometimes, the ice may crack, and you have to apply slight pressure (RAT) to see if it can take your weight before fully committing to a step (DOG).
This is a concept to help solidify the mindset, not a framework that should be followed like a gospel.
Books that helped inspire
- Inspired
- Lean UX
- Lean Enterprise
- Continuous Discovery Habits
- The Art of Action
- The Right It
- Agile is dead (long live agility)
The Menagerie principles was originally published in Bootcamp on Medium.