The Sigma-Five graphic has been copied a lot. It is a simple line drawing of the Greek letter "Sigma" with boxed captions at each of its five angles. The captions inside the Sigma-Five boxes are: THE SITUATION ROOM, THE PARTICIPANTS, THE FACILITATOR, THE CONSENSUS METHODOLOGIES, THE COMPUTER, The Sigma-5 concept, as originated by Warfield, appeared in print for the first time in 1986, in the paper "Education in Generic Design." The graphic was used frequently in presentations by Alexander Christakis and CIM staff at George Mason University, and the figure was later adapted by Christakis for use in his own company, after he left the university. In Warfield's words, writing in his article "Education in Generic Design" : "The [Sigma]… is chosen as a framework for the key factors for a successful outcome, because it is often used in science and engineering to represent a summing or bringing together and, in the limit, an integration. The five factors that are integral to generic design are: a design team, a computer with software and displays to help the team organize its thinking and remain always aware of the design status, a set of carefully chosen methodologies called “Consensus Methodologies” (Warfield, 1982), a skilled process facilitator who knows the methodologies as well as the more common group facilitation skills, and a room especially designed and equipped to support the other four factors. The room that constitutes the generic design environment has been named “Demosophia”, which, in Greek, represents Wisdom of the Group.”

The Sigma figure was first used by Warfield in workshops which he directed in Saudi Arabia (1980-1982) and shortly thereafter in Brazil where Warfield did some ISM consultation with IBM-Brazil in May 1982. IBM employee Jean Paul Jacob, later with IBM San Jose Research Labs, was in Brazil early on, working with ISM, and also working in Brazil with Warfield was Prof. James T.C. Wright, of University of Sao Paulo.

In this folder I have only 2 poor copies of the Sigma-Five. Much better appearing versions of this figure can be found in collections of teaching transparencies already sent to the Special Collection in the year 2000. The photocopies which I include here are just to create a unique record for this very popular drawing, and keep its history from getting lost. I am sending a view copied from an old manual or book, then an adaptation of the Sigma figure done by Christakis for his new company,

r.w. circa 2007