Wicked Problems
What Makes a Problem Wicked?
This cartoon illustrates the complicated nature of a wicked problem. Unlike well-structured and complex problems, where solutions can be formulated using logic paired with critical and strategic thinking, wicked problems are seemingly impossible to solve. Frustratingly enough, attempting such often results in creating additional complex problems (Rittel & Weber, 1973).
"A wicked problem has innumerable causes, is tough to describe, and doesn’t have a right answer."
— John C. Camillus (2008)
...So why try to solve a wicked problem?
By resiliently dissecting a wicked problem, albeit incrementally, actionable steps begin to unfold, helping the problem solver move one step closer to residing at a solution; This is what makes the process worth it.
It All Begins With Curiosity
"A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something—and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change."
— Warren Berger (2014), A More Beautiful Question
The importance of asking questions is rooted in our ability to better understand and improve the world around us. In many cases, the impetus for solving a problem comes from one's desire to simply ask the question, "Why?"
When an individual wonders why something is the way it is, it ignites the potential for what if questions to form. Upon examining possibilities, the questioner approaches a solution, and develops ideas on how the solution could be implemented. Thus, displaying the Why/What If/How sequence.
“The Why/What If/How sequence represents a basic and logical progression, drawing, in part, on several existing models that break down the creative problem-solving process”
— Warren Berger (2014), A More Beautiful Question
As you will learn in the next segment, our proposed solution to Rethinking the Role of Educators was formulated using Berger's Why/What If/How problem-solving process.
References:
A More Beautiful Question. (n.d.). [Image]. Retrieved from http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/book-on-questioning-by-warren-berger/
Berger, W. (2014). A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas. New York: Bloomsbury.
Camillus, J. C. (2008). Strategy as a wicked problem. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2008/05/strategy-as-a-wicked-problem
Masters, J. (2014). Gabby gabby goes fishing (1943) fleischer Studios-1 cartoons [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/HQs1dmznuGg
Rittel, H. & Weber, M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155-169.
Why What If How. (n.d.). [Image]. Retrieved from http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/book-on-questioning-by-warren-berger/