Design
An engagement space creates an option space for the actors to engage and resolve the engagement into an action (a decision not to pursue an option is also an action).
The difference with an algorithmic based optimization approach is that actors can take local decisions as they see fit, within boundaries. The boundaries limit the option space.
The rules of engagement form a protocol that reduces the cognitive load for actors that engage with each other.
The design process start with the identification of events: triggers for one or more actors to seek engagement, resolution and a result (action).
The second part of the design process is to define the engagement: the interaction between actors. A crucial part is the definition of the “option space”: any choice within the option space is allowed.
The third part of the design process is the definition resolution of an event, leading to an engagement and a result: an action that is taken, a new state is reached and communicated
The last part is the integration of these steps into a design.
Events
What is the type of event (or if there are multiple types, the types of events) that triggers the need for engagement by an actor?
- How does it arise?
- How much time is there to engage and resolve and act?
Engagement
Who is engaging? Who is the real actor, the person who weighs options, takes decisions and bears the consequences?
What information is needed to plan options after event arises?
How can you declare intent as an actor to others to engage?
- To a specific subset of participants
- Or to all?
What are the boundaries that define the outer limits/envelope of the option space for resolving an engagement?
What are the rules of engagement?
What is the interaction visibility?
- None
- Subset
- All participants
Is it necessary to keep a ‘score’? What is the unit of scoring? Is the unit tradeable, can it be monetized or not?
What are the time constraints?
How to deal with exception handling?
What are the requirements (high level) of support systems (IT, telecom)?
Results/actions
What actions can be the result of an engagement?
Does it involve one-on-one, or one-on-many, or many-to-many ?
How is the new “state” of the space recorded and made visible to participants?
Is there a need of a log of resolutions that is visible to actors?
Integration into a design
The definitions of events, engagement and actions are the input for an integral design.