Sense-making — Interpreting incomplete, ambiguous or competing information and perspectives to form a coherent understanding of a situation, its implications and what to do next.

Definition

Cross-government Public Service Division

Example: The data pack has 47 charts; sense-making is deciding which three change the decision.

Also known as: sensemaking, sense making, sense-make, sense make

Context: In Public Service usage, sense-making usually goes beyond summarising inputs. It involves connecting evidence, assumptions, stakeholder perspectives and implications so that judgement or action is possible.

Where you may encounter this

Writing a paper Attending a meeting Working across agencies

Source checked Checked 2026-08-03

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