The Centres are discrete modes of constructive engagement in joint work, which were derived from a THEEsubsidiary typology: Approaches to interacting-for-benefit (PH’6-Qt4).
Channels
The situations and choices in any Centre influence situations and choices within other Centres. The lines in the Tree are Channels for these bi-directional influences, named provisionally as shown. Everything is simultaneously in existence (or potentially available) in any joint endeavour to a greater or lesser degree, either explicitly or implicitly.
Top (L7 & L6): Superstructure for cooperation, predicting the future, and assuming dispassionate thinking and open-mindedness.
Middle (L5 to L3): Cooperative processes needed to mediate the desired benefit.
Bottom (L2 & L1): Infrastructure for cooperation: the prosperity and strength of the participants, who expect to gain by joining with others in a specific endeavour, while also staying secure.
This hierarchical analysis enables focusing on the many types of choices dynamically and simultaneously affecting a given joint endeavour at any point in time (i.e. synchronic). By contrast, the spiral process is developmental and therefore shows an evolution through time (i.e. diachronic).
The Tree assumes that any participant can activate and use (or refuse to use) any of the Centres or Channels in the service of the cooperative endeavour. The more Centres (or Levels) and Channels that are missing or dysfunctional, whether due to ignorance or rejection, the more that cooperation and the desired results will be problematic.
Remedies for deficits, e.g. of specialist competencies (L3) or of good relationships (L5), may be developmental in nature and take significant amounts of time to put right.