The Chessboard Model: The Missing Links Between Complexity and Emergence

This article represents a new approach in explaining the relationship between interacting units of a larger organization. With complexity theory as the theoretical foundation, organizations are viewed as chaordic systems interacting to produce a positive outcome, emergence. Organizational culture and strategic planning are introduced as mediating factors that help drive the activities of the interacting units. This theoretical model will help practitioners of human resource development and project management understand the underlying forces that drive the successful completion of projects, initiatives, and individual tasks. The “Chessboard” model is introduced as a concept map.