Mobius: A Radically Simple Idea
The following blog post is taken from the Mobius archives. It goes through why Mobius was created, and was first published in 2011 by Gabrielle Benefield.
Mobius was created to cut through the complexity, making it easier for people to focus on measurable outcomes, rather than simply delivering more outputs. Mobius is a navigator that aligns people to a shared purpose; to deliver real value. It doesn’t prescribe one way of working. Instead, it links tools and frameworks together in a cohesive way.
How Mobius is structured
Mobius is connected with three main parts.
The first navigator featuring the Discover, Decide (Options), and Deliver maps.
Discovery: to understand why and generate the Outcomes.
Options: to figure out how to deliver the Outcomes.
Delivery: put your ideas to the test, run experiments, and learn what works and what doesn’t.
These three parts are connected with the Mobius Loop. The name Mobius comes from a discovery by two German mathematicians to describe a surface with one continuous path.
The Mobius Strip, the inspiration for the Mobius Loop
This is a good metaphor to describe how continuous learning evolves, and how the external needs and internal delivery is intertwined. The idea is to create a continuous flow of value to the customer.
As you move through the loop, you will progress from discovery and analysis, through the delivery and learning. The key elements to stay focused on are:
The first rendition of the Mobius Loop
UNDERSTAND WHY
Why are you doing this? Explore the current situation and what you are trying to achieve, before jumping to solutions.
OUTCOMES OVER OUTPUTS
Maximise outcomes, not outputs. Outcomes are the compass to steer your efforts.
FIND THE SIMPLEST PATH
Cut through complexity. Experiment and find the simplest path to reach the desired Outcome.
Continuously Learn and Adapt
Delivering outcomes is only the beginning. Learn early, learn often, and adapt based on what really happens.