We have been teaching SADIMET on our PDC (permaculture design course) recently and I did this illustration (which you’re welcome to use) which shows how the different parts of the framework interact and how we have been using them.
SADIMET might be very familiar to you. It is to me. But teaching something to someone else, always helps us see things in a fresh way and I found the exercise of describing it really useful.
And then I thought – what if I created some salient questions and arrows if I was working with an unfamiliar frameworks or tools: do a mini sketch of it and put the questions and arrows between the sections that I could use as a prompt when I’m working through the process.
For new things, prompts can be really helpful to move from one part of a process to another. I liken it to following a new recipe for a new dish. Following the instructions, point by point, helps me not miss anything out. Or if I do, it helps me notice that I have – you know, the beetroot curry is never that great without the beetroot!
If you’re new to designing with a particular framework or tool, just write yourself a quick recipe before you start. That way, you don’t have to think about the next stage, you can just follow the prompt.
It could also help you see where you can break the mould of a familiar one.