Activity U (IV): The Engeström’s Triangle and the Power of Diagram

The perspective of diagram and diagramming on theoretical building and development.

This article is part of a case study: Activity U. I apply the HERO U framework and Diagram U to discuss the development of a large knowledge enterprise: Activity Theory or (Cultural-historical activity theory, CHAT).

• Activity U (I): The Landscape of Activity Theory
• Activity U (II): Unit of Analysis, Niches of Analysis, Levels of Analysis
• Activity U (III): Bonnie Nardi’s Choices and Boundary Knowledge Work

Today I am going to focus on Finnish educational researcher Yrjö Engeström’s work and review his theoretical building from the perspective of diagrams and diagramming. Yrjö Engeström upgraded the activity theory from the individual activity level to the collective activity level with a conceptual model of “activity system” in order to apply activity theory to educational settings, organizational development, and other fields (Engeström,1987).

Engeström considered the diagramming approach as an important tool for developing theory. His story is a great example of rethinking the value of diagrams and diagramming.

Contents

PART 1: Background

1.1 The landscape of Activity Theory
1.2 The development of work and expertise
1.3 The Engeström’s Triangle