A protocol pattern language is a structured framework that organizes a collection of patterns, protocols, playbooks, and civic stacks into a cohesive system, guiding the design, implementation, and operation of open civic systems. It integrates the conceptual flexibility of patterns, the actionable specificity of protocols, the contextual guidance of playbooks, and the modular architecture of civic stacks, enabling the creation of templates that are adaptable, interoperable, and scalable across diverse localized contexts. - **[[#Patterns]]** are the conceptual foundations that inspire or guide the creation of protocols and playbooks. - Patterns constitute a set of: - Challenge / Need - Opportunity / Future System - Scale - Civic Sector - Context - **[[#Protocols]]** operationalize patterns by defining the formal steps and processes required to apply them effectively. - In the context of self-organizing systems, protocols can be defined according to the following categories: - Membership Thresholds - Membranes - Decision-making - Sense-making - Coordination & Collaboration - Resource Allocation - Learning & Knowledge Management - Culture - **[[#Playbooks]]** combine patterns and protocols into user-friendly guides tailored to specific scenarios or contexts. - Playbooks are intended to provide comprehensive guidance throughout the lifecycle of an initiative: - Conception - Gestation - Maturation - Decomposition - **[[#Civic Stacks]]** are modular templates that integrate patterns, protocols, and playbooks into blueprints for open civic systems. - Civic stacks are holistic references for: - Patterns - Playbooks - Protocols ### Patterns Patterns are conceptual designs, formalized as recurring, generalized solutions to common challenges or opportunities within a given context. They provide a foundational understanding that can be adapted and applied to diverse situations. These patterns foster a shared understanding of overarching approaches, enabling collaboration without imposing rigid prescriptions. They support pluralism by emphasizing inclusivity and flexibility, serving as organizational mechanisms that align diverse perspectives toward shared goals by describing challenges and opportunities in a generalized form. **Key Characteristics**: - **Reusable**: Can be applied across multiple contexts while retaining their core principles. - **Abstract**: Provide a high-level approach rather than detailed step-by-step instructions. - **Guiding Frameworks**: Serve as building blocks for more detailed protocols or systems. **Examples:** - **Food rescue / Gleaning:** - **Context:** For profit food systems and resource insecurity - **Challenge:** Inequitable and wasteful allocation of food resources in a community - **Opportunity:** Map and identify excess and wasted food. Create a redistribution mechanism to those who need it the most. **Example Template:** - Context - Challenges - Opportunities - Considerations - Related * (cross linked protocols, playbooks, etc) ### Protocols Protocols are operational mechanisms formalized as detailed procedures that outline specific steps, roles, and interactions required to achieve a desired outcome. They provide the operational mechanics necessary for consistent implementation. **Key Characteristics**: - **Detailed**: Include clear processes, agreements, roles, materials, inputs, interactions, and outcomes. - **Formalized**: Encourage coherent engagement and implementation across different contexts or communities through consensual fields of agreement. - **Open and Adaptable**: Can be customized and composed to fit local needs while maintaining cosmolocal integrity. **Examples**: - A "mapping protocol" for collecting data according to a particular schema - A "resource distribution protocol" for grant allocation - A "governance protocol" for collaborative decision-making **Example Templates:** - Categories ([[Social Organism Ontology]]) - Membership Protocols - Join Conditions - Exit Conditions - Participation Conditions & Peer Accountability - Roles - Role Name - Role Description - Role Responsibilities - Role Permissions - Membrane Protocols - Inner Membranes - External Membranes - Peer Relationships - Decision Making Protocols - Decisions - Decision Makers - Decision Making Mechanisms - Sensemaking Protocols - Mapping - Visioning - Relevance Realization (Prioritization) - Resource Allocation Protocols - Value Accounting - Resource Flows - Coordination Protocols - Collaboration - Information Sharing - Learning Protocols - Knowledge Gardening - Retrospectives - Culture Protocols - Vision, Mission and Purpose - Values - Practices and Rituals - Agreements - Accountability ### Playbooks Playbooks are actionable guides that are formalized as structured, scenario-specific collections of actionable steps, tools, and strategies that guide individuals or groups through processes to achieve specific outcomes. They are contextualized applications of patterns and protocols. **Key Characteristics**: - **Practical**: Focus on actionable guidance tailored to specific scenarios. - **Comprehensive**: Include best practices, tools, and step-by-step instructions. - **Context-Specific**: Designed for a particular use-case, context or scenario but can be adapted as needed. **Examples:** - A "community imagination playbook" for local organizers engaging in collective visioning - A "disaster response playbook" for resilience preparedness or rapid deployment of emergency resources - A "participatory budget playbook" for municipal public budget consultations **Example Template:** - Social Organism Blueprint / aka Open Civic System Blueprint for X - Conception Process: How an emerging group begins to form foundational relationships and agreements - Gestation Process: How early stage collaboration sets the stage for operational maturity - Maturation Process: How groups establish fully functional open civic systems that provide consistent utility to their community - Decomposition Process: How groups transition and transform cyclically and generationally - ... ### Civic Stacks Civic stacks are composite system blueprints that interrelate patterns (conceptual design), protocols (operational mechanisms), and playbooks (actionable guides) as modular components for creating, adapting, and scaling open civic systems. They serve as a pluralistic set or collection of templates and blueprints for addressing civic challenges in a holistic, participatory, and scalable manner. **Key Characteristics**: - **Pluralistic:** Encouraging open ended exploration of a possibility space instead of singular, one-size-fits-all strategies - **Evolutionary and Adaptive:** Continuously evolving through the iterative development of communities as they learn and grow - **Integrated**: Combines conceptual, operational, and practical components into a unified reference system. - **Composable and Modular**: Can be customized and adapted to local contexts, needs, and scales. - **Open and Interoperable**: Designed to work seamlessly across communities and with other civic stacks, fostering collaboration and scalability. - **Participatory**: Empowers communities to co-design, adopt, and implement solutions that align with their needs and goals. **Examples**: - Food Systems - Ecological Stewardship - Education - Knowledge Commoning **Example Template:** - ... - Related Patterns - Related Protocols - Related Playbooks