Double-Loop Learning

QUOTE

Pema Chödrön once said…

“True learning is when you start to see the world with new eyes.”

CONCEPT

Double-Loop Learning

Double-Loop Learning is a concept advanced by Chris Argyris, a business theorist, to describe a process of deeply questioning every aspect of our decision-making and challenging the underlying beliefs and assumptions we hold.

In simpler terms, while single-loop learning is about making adjustments based on discrepancies from our intended results without questioning our core beliefs, double-loop learning delves deeper. It not only adjusts the actions but also challenges and modifies the goals and values that informed those actions in the first place.

STORY

To Ignite ... Or Inspect?

In January 1967, NASA found itself embroiled in a period of introspection.

During a pre-launch test for Apollo 1, a fire ignited within the command module, killing three astronauts. The initial reaction within NASA was a single-loop learning response: identifying and fixing the technical problems that caused the fire. This included improving materials, redesigning the hatch, and changing testing procedures.

However, the accident led to a more profound shift in NASA’s organizational culture.

Instead of only fixing the immediate problem, there was a deeper reflection on whether the agency was pursuing its goals in the right manner. The Apollo 1 disaster propelled NASA into a double-loop learning process.

NASA started to challenge some of its foundational beliefs and assumptions.

They asked: "Are we being too aggressive with our timelines? Are we prioritizing schedules over safety? Is our organizational structure conducive to open communication, or are we silencing dissenting voices?"

By adopting a double-loop learning perspective, NASA underwent a transformation. They overhauled not only their engineering practices but also their decision-making processes, communication structures, and priorities. This rigorous introspection and restructuring made subsequent missions safer and more successful.

It was no longer just about achieving the goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth with the highest standards of safety, excellence, and integrity.

By embracing double-loop learning, NASA could align its methods with its objectives, ensuring the sustainability and success of future missions.

When faced with a problem or setback, it's not enough to merely correct the course. It’s equally important to question the foundational assumptions and beliefs that dictate the path in the first place.