Sensemaking is the intricate, iterative process of understanding and deriving meaning from complex, ambiguous, or novel situations. It involves synthesizing information from various sources, identifying patterns, and constructing a coherent narrative that aligns with reality. It necessitates critical thinking, introspection, and active engagement with both internal and external data streams, allowing individuals and groups to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions. At its core, sensemaking is a dance between perception and cognition, where one's worldview and mental models adapt continuously to integrate new insights and shift paradigms. It is essential for fostering adaptive, resilient systems capable of responding intelligently to the evolving challenges and opportunities our global civilization faces.
See also: decision making, complexity science, collective intelligence, systems thinking, emergent property