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Sensemaking

  • Writer: Ade McCormack
    Ade McCormack
  • Jul 28
  • 1 min read

What is Sensemaking?

Sensemaking is the cognitive process of interpreting information to understand what it means and what implications it has for future action. Although the term suggests it is part of sensing, intelligent organisations treat sensemaking as a component of decision-making. Sensing gathers information; sensemaking transforms that information into understanding.


This distinction reflects how living systems operate. Sensory organs such as the eyes, ears and skin acquire information but do not determine its significance. Interpretation occurs within the brain, where sensory inputs are integrated with memory, context and experience to create an understanding of reality. Likewise, intelligent organisations separate the acquisition of information from the cognitive processes that interpret it and inform decisions.


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