This is Part 4 of our series on what we mean by Foundational Framework. To start at the beginning, click here!
Break it Down – Keep it Simple
Now, the term framework is not original to us. It isn’t “insider language” or industry specific. However, if you haven’t come across it often, it might feel vague or elusive. If that’s you, you’re not alone! This post is specifically for you!
What is a “framework” anyway?
Put succinctly, a framework is a simple way of organizing complex information in order to make sense of it.
Or, said a different way…
It’s a simple structure for organizing complex information so that it makes sense.
Where Does the Term Come From?
I first came across the term years ago when I was doing a deep dive into evidenced-based education methods.
In the book, the authors discuss the reality that “all new learning requires a pre-existing framework.” In a nutshell, if we have no frame of reference whatsoever, we cannot absorb a new idea. If it’s a big paradigm shift, like the earth is flat vs. the earth is round, we have to lay the foundation by building an entirely new mental model of the universe. We cannot just overlay the new information on top of what people think they know, because it won’t fit into their pre-existing framework.
How About an Analogy?
A great analogy would be this bookshelf behind me. It’s a simple structure that allows me to organize a lot of information in a way that makes sense.
And I’ve organized it by sorting and labeling. I’ve sorted the books into different categories and they’re labeled with the titles on the spine.
This is what frameworks do. They create structure so we can actually use information. Without them, it’s like trying to sort through a giant pile of books to find the one you’re looking for… pure chaos. Frameworks help us organize tons of complex information so that we can actually use it.
Time for One More Analogy?
What would you do if I handed you an 8-pound bowling ball? You’d likely be able to hold it, right? What if I handed you another? Still doing alright? If you’re feeling frosty, you might be able to handle a third bowling ball… but once I dropped numbers 4, 5, and 6 into your arms, you’re going to drop ALL of them.
Now, suppose I set you up for success by building a simple structure beforehand that was clearly labeled with slots to put each bowling ball. Now how many do you think you can handle? If the structure is sufficient, you can go on forever. As I hand you a bowling ball, you’d just put it in the designated slot. A simple structure to organize complex, heavy ideas.
What About Foundational Frameworks?
We call our frameworks are foundational because until we address them, no lasting progress can possibly be made. They are so basic to life, that we have to address them first in order to move forward. Like worrying about stocking a sailing boat when we think the earth is round; we need to address one before the other.
So when we say Foundational Frameworks, we are talking about a simple way of organizing complex information That if left unaddressed, no lasting progress can be made a simple way of organizing complex information that if left unaddressed, no lasting progress can be made.
That’s what a Foundational Framework is.
Can You Be More Specific?
Yes! Foundational Frameworks take on many forms. Two of the most common we’ll use are:
Analogies
It can be an analogy like the story I shared earlier about snow school.
That’s a true story, but it’s really an analogy. It can also be a story like the power plant earlier. I don’t know if that story is true or not, but it’s a helpful analogy to understand this concept.
Diagrams
We will also use a lot of diagrams because the brain processes visual information about 60,000 times faster than written word.
So we’ll use a lot of dial diagrams and we will also do a lot of sorting and labeling so that people can organize complex information in a way that makes sense.
This is what Foundational Frameworks do. They help us organize tons of complex information so that we can actually use it.