The Triple Helix is Complexity Thinking, Distributed Leadership, and Team Science. Imagine DNA strands and how they bond together to create bones, fluids, organs, tissues, and more in the human body. Similar outcomes happen when combining the components of the Triple Helix.

The connection here is intentional. Taken one by one, the strands would not effectively address volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Combined, they equip an enterprise to navigate challenging waters.

As a Sailor, I was faced with situations which The Flow System (TFS) was designed to address. When a submarine is behaving abnormally, many of the tools defined in the system are useful. Addressing changes in a responsive and responsible way are at the heart of TFS.

Triple Helix – Definition

From the TFS guide:

Triple Helix – System of Understanding

TFS is similar to W. Edwards Deming’s “System of Profound Knowledge”. No one person can know everything needed to adapt a company to VUCA. Deming understood the concept, and TFS expands it.

It brings together tools which are used to help the people inside the enterprise.

The benefits will be an organization that is capable of adapting to environmental variations to meet the demands of the customer in today’s complex environment.

The following pages describe what TFS is and is not.

Reference to TFS —

_{©2019 Professor John Turner, Nigel Thurlow, Brian Rivera. The Flow System™ is offered for license under the Attribution license of Creative Commons, accessible at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode and also described in summary form at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ By utilizing this Site and any information presented you acknowledge and agree that you have read and agree to be bound by the terms of the Attribution license of Creative Commons. The Flow System™, The DNA of Organizations™, and The Triple Helix of Flow™ are all trademarks of the copyright holders.}