The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Things that were once considered stable and predictable are now volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. This has led to a new way of thinking about the world, known as the BANI model.

BANI stands for Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear, and Incomprehensible. It is a model that describes the current state of the world, which is characterized by these four qualities.

The term BANI was coined by Jamais Cascio, an American futurist, anthropologist, and author. He created the BANI model in response to the increasing volatility and uncertainty of the world. He felt that the traditional VUCA model (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) was no longer sufficient to describe the current state of the world.

Cascio introduced the BANI model in his 2016 article “Facing the Age of Chaos”. He argued that the world is becoming increasingly brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible. He also argued that these four qualities are interconnected, and that they are all contributing to the challenges that we face in the 21st century.

Studying and adopting such models helps us understand the world better and eventually navigate it too.

I must add that it is possible that the term BANI has been used before Cascio used it but his work is the first comprehensive treatment of the topic.

A bit more on BANI…

Brittle

The world is becoming more brittle. This means that it is more likely to break or collapse under stress. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing interconnectedness of the world, the growing complexity of systems, and the increasing volatility of the environment.

Anxious

The world is also becoming more anxious. This is due to the increasing uncertainty and complexity of the world. People are not sure what to expect, and they are often afraid of what the future holds. This anxiety can lead to stress, depression, and other mental health problems.

Non-Linear

The world is also becoming more non-linear. This means that cause and effect relationships are becoming more difficult to predict. This is due to the increasing complexity of systems and the increasing interconnectedness of the world.

Incomprehensible

The world is also becoming more incomprehensible. This means that it is becoming more difficult to understand. This is due to the increasing complexity of systems and the increasing interconnectedness of the world.

The BANI world poses a number of challenges, but it also offers a number of opportunities. By understanding the BANI world, we can better prepare ourselves to thrive in it.

Here are some tips on how to thrive in a BANI world:

• Be aware of the volatility of the world. Things can change quickly and unexpectedly, so it’s important to be prepared for anything.
• Be open to new ideas and ways of thinking. The BANI world is constantly changing, so we need to be adaptable and willing to learn new things.
• Build resilience. This means being able to bounce back from setbacks and to thrive in difficult circumstances.
• Be transparent and honest. In a world where trust is at a premium, it’s important to be open and honest with others.
• Collaborate with others. This is essential in a complex and uncertain world. By working together, we can pool our resources and knowledge to achieve more.
• Be mindful of your own biases. We all have biases, but they can be especially harmful in a BANI world. Be aware of your own biases and how they might be affecting your decisions.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling to cope with the challenges of BANI, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. There are people who can help you to navigate the BANI world and to thrive in it.
• Stay positive. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the challenges of BANI, but it’s important to stay positive. Remember that there are also opportunities in the BANI world, and that we can overcome the challenges if we work together.

The BANI world is a challenging one, but it is also an exciting one. By understanding the BANI world and by adopting the right mindset, we can thrive in this new world.

The BANI world is a complex and challenging one, but it also offers a number of opportunities. By understanding the BANI world and by adopting the right mindset, we can thrive in this new world.

Bio:

Anshuman is a global leader in Transformation, Innovation, Quality, and Simplification. He has over 25 years of experience and is currently the Global Head of Operational Excellence at DXC Technology. He leads a global team to develop world-class processes, ensure compliance, and inspire improvement. He is an ASQ Fellow and a LinkedIn Top Voice and is focused on 10x results.