Trialectical Synthesis

The concept of Trialectical Synthesis is derived from the Hegelian Dialectic. But rather than synthesizing two concepts, the thesis and antithesis, it incorporates a third, spatial, realm – a ‘third space’ – where ideas triangulate together.

The process can often feel mysterious and almost magical. Where does that insight come from that provides that new embracing understanding?

This concept is critical to understanding the Agile Mindset.

One could argue that we have Alan Kay and the experience of programming in his Smalltalk language partially to thank. For it was during this experience that important seeds were planted for what was to become Agile.

One of the most powerful characteristics of Smalltalk was the ability for developers to code in rapid, iterative hacks. Small changes could be made to the program and, almost instantly, those changes could be tested in the program.

This ability, using what was called a ‘just-in-time compiler’, allowed programmers to creatively code through quick trial and error experiments where each failure created a trialectical tension in the creative imagination: “We thought this, but it is that. Could it be this, now that we know that?” A tension that led to another synthesis of understanding.

This experience was a radical departure from the typical experience where programmers had to wait for an entire program to be recompiled before the changes could be seen. This process could take several minutes, if not longer.

By iterating over and over again, a deeper understanding of the problem was quickly developed. This understanding would then lead to moments where solutions were realized in Eureka Moments when the problem was deeply known and a solution found.