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Trifractal Analysis


Quadrophasic Transformation: Change is a Paradox

by Christopher Sunami (12/8/04)

Quadrophasic transformation is a change process adapted from administrative science. In general, a quadrophasic transformation is a change with four phases, involving two shifts in structure, and change at both a profound and superficial level. They are most familiar (at least to anyone who has studied administration) in the form of two-by-two diagrams, which trace a pathway towards change across four quadrants.

Contents

  1. The Common Progression
  2. The General Forms
  3. The Quadrograph
  4. Dangers of the Cycles
  5. Uses of Quadrophasic Transformation


Progression:

There are innumerable variations on these diagrams, but they share a common progression through four distinct phases.
  1. Negative or undesirable state
  2. Structural change
  3. Profound transformation
  4. Structural change
    (back to the original structure)
Structural ChangeProfound Transformation
Negative stateStructural Change
(back to the original structure)
The progression starts with some situation, affecting an individual or a group, which needs to be changed. The first step towards that change is an alteration in structure. That structural change opens the way for a profoundly positive transformation. The cycle ends with the recovery of the original structure.

The key to understanding cycles of this sort is that the first step is a paradox. The initial structural change may

  1. seem remote from the desired ends
  2. fail to produce immediate results
  3. be difficult and painful
  4. make things worse.
However, without the structural change, the profound transformation can never take place.

The General Forms

Cycles of this sort can be reduced to four generalized forms.

The Earth Cycle

Overall progression from internal high-structure to external high-structure.
  1. Stagnation
  2. Deconstruction
  3. Initiative
  4. Stability
DeconstructionInitiative
StagnationStability
The Earth Cycle begins with a stagnant organization --a place where all creativity and change have come to a halt. The first step towards change is to dismantle the underlying structures of the organization, with deliberate violations of ingrained traditions and standard methods. This deconstructive process must be continued until the shift into the next phase, which will be marked by a new willingness among the members of the group to embrace creative initiatives and innovative actions. At that point, new structures and methods can be built up collaboratively, so that the organization can end in a state of creative stability.

Wind Cycle

Overall progression from internal low-structure to external low-structure.
  1. Chaos
  2. Impositions
  3. Comprehension
  4. Freedom
ImpositionsComprehension
ChaosFreedom
The Wind Cycle begins with an organization in a state of chaos and disorder --a place where no meaning or consistency can be found. The first step towards change is to impose new structures, guidelines and rules on the organization, using authoritative methods if necessary. This imposition of order must continue until the shift into the next phase, which will be marked by a new willingness to accept rules among members of the group, a sudden burst of productivity, and an overall sense that the reasons and methods for seeking order have been comprehended and internalized. At that point, the rules and guidelines can be discarded, and the organization ends in a state of productive freedom.

Fire Cycle

Overall progression from external low-structure to internal low-structure.
  1. Isolation
  2. Assimilation
  3. Identity
  4. Independence
AssimilationIdentity
IsolationIndependence
The Fire Cycle begins with an individual (or a group when considered in relationship to other groups) in a state of isolation and alienation --friendless and alone. The first step towards change is to assimilate into some larger grouping, accepting without question their structures and traditions. This immersement must be sustained until a new sense of identity is developed, an identity that incorporates both the group identity and the individual identity simultaneously. At that point, the individual can leave the group, or depart from the group’s traditions (if so desired) without losing his or her connection with the group, so as to end the cycle in a state of well-connected independence.

Water Cycle

Overall progression from external high-structure to internal high-structure.
  1. Conformity
  2. Rebellion
  3. Integrity
  4. Unity
RebellionIntegrity
ConformityUnity
The Water Cycle begins with an individual (or a group when considered in relationship to other groups) in a state of conformity and self-suppression --possibly even resulting in exploitation or abuse by outside forces. The first step towards change is rebellion --a systematic rejection of every outside influence and structure. This rebellious state must be sustained until a shift into the next phases is marked by the development of a sense of integrity --a moral compass indicating what choices are right and wrong. Once that has taken place, the individual can rejoin a larger group without fearing loss of self, and end the cycle in a state of self-assured unity.

NOTE: These cycles can and do overlap. In particular, a stagnant group is generally filled with conformist members, and a chaotic group with isolated members, so that both the group and the individual can go through complementary cycles simultaneously.


The quadrograph is a diagram incorporating all four cycles. It was created through overlapping patterns of meaning, one of the principles of Emergent Design. In it, the pathways are interwoven, and superimposed on the Native American circle of the elements. The advantage to this diagram is not only that it provides a concise summary of all the cycles, but also that it illuminates the underlying interrelationships between the pathways.

Arranged like this, the four phases reading downwards in any quadrant all share key characteristics. In general, the four quadrants are:

"high structure, external" (Water)
"high structure, internal" (Earth)
"low structure, internal" (Wind)
"low structure, external" (Fire)

The paths go in opposing directions because each phase MUST begin with a change in structure.


Dangers in the Cycles:

These cycles, although a powerful force for positive change, are not without their dangers and difficulties.
  1. Guidance: Entering a cycle of this sort represents a leap of faith, and to persevere through to the end requires both good fortune and good guidance. Such guidance can come in many forms, including:
    1. Moral - The pursuit of a moral end or goal can help one make the right choices along the way.
    2. Personal - Having the right mentor or teacher can be invaluable on this pathway, but having the wrong one can be just as harmful.
    3. Spiritual - For a Christian Existentialist, this kind of guidance comes in the form of a personal relationship with God. For others, spiritual guidance might mean consulting a religious work, listening to an inner voice, or something else of this sort.
  2. Appropriateness: The situation must be carefully identified before entering into a cycle, because use of the wrong cycle is more harmful than helpful. For example, introducing an authoritarian principle into a stagnant school produces no useful benefits, and bringing a rebellious leader into a chaotic environment is a recipe for disaster.
  3. Timing: The most difficult part of navigating these cycles is mastering the timing. Each phase must be started and completed at precisely the right moment. End a phase too quickly, and you run the danger of regressing into a prior phase. End a phase too late, and it may degenerate into another phase in the same quadrant, but further towards the outside of the diagram, as when impositions degrade into stagnation, deconstruction into chaos, rebellion into isolation and assimilation into conformity.


Uses of Quadrophasic Transformation

Quadrophasic cycles are ubiquitous, but there are some specific cycles of particular significance. (click below for more)
  1. The Universal Redemption (religious)
  2. The Artists' Cycle
  3. The Hero’s Journey


© 1999-2004 Christopher Sunami. All Rights Reserved.


Trifractal Analysis
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