The 4 Spheres of Knowledge for Diagnosis

 In this episode of Tactics for Tech Leadership, Andy and Mon-Chaio dive into the discipline of organizational diagnosis through the lens of the paper 'Organizational Diagnosis: an Evidence-Based Approach' by McFillen, Balzer, Varney, and O'Neil. They discuss the need for a rigorous approach to diagnosis in organizational design and change. The focus is on understanding the four spheres of knowledge: standards, solutions, symptoms, and systems. These spheres provide a structured approach to making evidence-based diagnoses. The hosts emphasize the importance of coherence in systems and how teams can implement this structured thinking into their practices to ensure organizational health. The conversation provides insights and actionable advice for technical leaders aiming to improve their diagnostic practices and organizational change efforts.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/04/01/s3e12-the-4-spheres-of-knowledge-for-diagnosis/

References

• Organizational Diagnosis: An Evidence-based Approach - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239796277_Organizational_Diagnosis_An_Evidence-based_Approach
• The history of the theory of the circulation of the blood - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3233/CH-168031