Getting Started with HUMMBL Framework
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Quick Start (5 Minutes)
Step 1: Assess Your Problem (2 minutes)
Use the 5-Question Wickedness Scoring Tool:
- Stakeholder Agreement (0-6 points)
- Information Completeness (0-6 points)
- Solution Finality (0-6 points)
- Learning Dynamics (0-6 points)
- Time Pressure (0-6 points)
Total Score: ___ / 30
Step 2: Determine Your Tier (1 minute)
| Score |
Tier |
Complexity |
| 0-9 |
Tier 1 |
Simple |
| 10-14 |
Tier 2 |
Complicated |
| 15-19 |
Tier 3 |
Complex |
| 20-24 |
Tier 4 |
Wicked |
| 25-30 |
Tier 5 |
Super-Wicked |
Step 3: Select Your Base-N Level (1 minute)
Match your learning level to model count:
- New to mental models? → Start with Base6
- Some experience? → Use Base12
- Professional practitioner? → Use Base24
- Advanced leader? → Use Base36
- Researcher/Expert? → Use BASE120
Step 4: Apply the Framework (1 minute)
- For Tier 1-2: Use standard procedures, follow proven methods
- For Tier 3: Experiment, adapt, learn continuously
- For Tier 4-5: Engage stakeholders, embrace complexity, iterate
Your First Assessment
Example: Planning a Team Retreat
Q1: Stakeholder Agreement → 2 (minor preferences differ)
Q2: Information Completeness → 1 (mostly clear requirements)
Q3: Solution Finality → 1 (event happens once, done)
Q4: Learning Dynamics → 2 (some planning adaptation)
Q5: Time Pressure → 2 (reasonable timeline)
Total: 8 points → Tier 1: Simple
Recommendation:
- Use Base6 foundational models
- Apply standard event planning procedures
- Focus on execution over experimentation
Next Steps by Role
For Practitioners
Immediate Actions:
- Assess 3 current problems using the scoring tool
- Review Problem Complexity Tiers
- Start learning Base6 mental models
- Read the Practitioners Guide
For Learners
Learning Path:
- Study Learning Progression Tiers
- Identify your current learning tier (0-4)
- Start with appropriate Base-N level
- Follow the Learners Guide
For Researchers
Research Path:
- Review Validation Evidence
- Explore BASE120 architecture
- Consider research collaboration
- Read the Researchers Guide
Key Concepts to Master
1. Problem Complexity ≠ Problem Difficulty
- Complexity: Number of interconnected factors, stakeholder agreement
- Difficulty: Required expertise, time investment
Example: Rocket science is difficult but complicated (Tier 2), not wicked (Tier 4)
2. Progressive Mastery Over Breadth
- Master Base6 deeply before expanding to Base12
- Quality over quantity in model selection
- Integration beats accumulation
3. Tier Assessment is Perspective-Dependent
- Same problem may be different tiers for different stakeholders
- Your assessment reflects your perspective (this is valid!)
- Multiple valid interpretations exist
- Adapt to context
- Combine approaches
- Use judgment
- Learn from outcomes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Jumping to BASE120 immediately
- Cognitive overload
- Surface-level understanding
- Poor practical skills
❌ Using Tier 4 methods for Tier 1 problems
- Overcomplexity
- Wasted resources
- Delayed action
❌ Ignoring stakeholder perspectives
- Missing crucial viewpoints
- Incomplete assessments
- Failed solutions
❌ Treating scores as absolute truth
- Scores guide, don’t dictate
- Reassess as you learn
- Context always matters
✅ Instead: Start simple, progress deliberately, adapt continuously
Resources
Core Framework
Application Guides
Reference Materials
Full Documentation
Questions?
Found an issue?
Want to contribute?
Ready to Begin?
Choose your starting point:
- Assess a problem now - Start with the scoring tool
- Learn the tiers - Understand problem types
- Find your level - Identify your expertise tier
- Pick your models - Choose Base-N level
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