No One Mourns The Wicked (problems)
There are tame problems, and there are wicked problems. Understanding which of the two problems you are dealing with can help choose a strategy to tackle them.
Wicked and Tame Problems
Rittel and Webber (1973), suggested the classification of wicked and tame problems.
In tame problems, everyone agrees on “what exists” and “what should exist” (the solution to the problem). Tame problems are also known as well-defined or well-structured (Cross, 2008).
In wicked problems is no known method for developing a solution to wicked problems, and there is no clear way to know if anyone can solve a problem. Wicked problems are also known as ill-defined or ill-structured (Cross, 2008).
Consequences
Lack of agreement on the problem makes it unlikely to agree on a solution. This can lead to ineffective solutions, which is essentially a fancy way to say that it can lead to even more problems down the line.
Some of the issues with wicked problems are
- the lack of stopping rule (there is no true absolute solution)
- no chance to trial and error
- they are likely to be the symptom of another problem
- the problem formulation isn’t definitive and can only cover a partial aspect of the problem
The latter is interesting because the lack of a precise problem formulation can lead to a lack of agreement in solution strategies.
Understanding which problem you are dealing with can help you understand what to expect in terms of strategies and possible solutions. This is important to manage your resources appropriately.
Bonus points if you got the title reference.
- Rittel, H.W.J. and Webber, M. (1973). ‘Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning’, Policy Sciences Vol 4, 155–1691 Cross, Nigel (2008). ‘Engineering
- Design Methods: Strategies for Product Design’, Wiley, 11–15
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