There is no definitive statement of “The Problem.” It is a moving target. “they don’t know what they want”The problem is composed of an evolving set of interlocking issues and constraints. Each attempt at creating a solution changes the understanding of the problem. Therefore, the information needed to understand the problem depends on one’s idea for solving it …In order to describe a wicked problem in sufficient detail, one has to develop an exhaustive inventory for all the conceivable solutions ahead of timeA number of designers participated in an experiment in which the exercise was to design an elevator control system for an office building. All of the participants in the study were experienced and expert integrated-circuit designers, but they had never worked on eleva-tor systems before. Indeed, their only experience with elevator systems came from riding in elevators. Each participant was asked to think out loud while they worked on the problem. The sessions were videotaped and analyzed in great detail. The analysis showed, not surprisingly, that these designers worked simultaneously on understanding the problem and formulating a solution. They exhibited two ways of trying to understand the problem: efforts to understand the requirements for the system (from a one page problem statement they were given at the beginning of the session); and mental simulations (e.g. “Let’s see, I’m on the second floor and the elevator is on the third floor and I push the ’Up’ button. That’s going to create this situation....”).
Wicked problems have no stopping rule… because (according to Proposition 1) the process of solving the problem is identical with the process of understanding its nature. You can always try to do better as your understanding grows. This leads to the presumption that additional investment of effort might increase the chances of finding a better solution. You cannot prove that all solutions have been consideredThere are no criteria which enable one to prove that all solutions to a wicked problem have been identified and considered There are so many factors and conditions, all embedded in a dynamic social context, that no two wicked problems are alike. Various stakeholders will have differing views of acceptable solutions. It is a matter of judgment as to when enough potential solutions have emerged and which should be pursuedSolutions differ based on interests, values and ideology of participantsJudgements on the effectiveness of solutions are likely to differ widely based on the personal interests, value sets, and ideology of the participants. Since there are no unambiguous criteria for deciding if the problem is resolved, getting all stakeholders to agree that a resolution is ‘good enough’ can be a challenge. Sox clearly to me has been a failure in its intent, given the global financial crisis, but many would argue against my assertionSome would say that SOX not working is regulation not working and argue for lessSome would argue for more
The existence of a discrepancy representing a wicked problem can be explained in numerous ways. The choice of explanation determines the nature of the problems resolution."You might say that everybody picks an explanation of a discrepancy which fits their intentions best" Every wicked problem can be considered to be a symptom of another problemAs you investigate problem causes, there is a tendency to discover that the current problem is the symptom of a larger problem. The level at which a problem ’settles’ cannot be decided on logical grounds. Rittel implies here that this characteristic makes phase-based problem solving as described in the first characteristic. "Marginal improvement doesn’t guarantee overall improvement. For examine, computerisation of an administrative process may result in reduced cost, But at the same time it becomes more difficult to incur structural changes in the organisation, because technical perfection reinforces organisational patterns and normally increases the cost of change." There is no immediate and no ultimate test of a solution to a wicked problemNo opportunity to learn by trial and error. Any solution, after being implemented, will generate waves of consequences that may yield utterly undesirable repercussions which outweigh the intended advantages. Stolen generation example
Buzzword abuse – buzzword by definition has ambiguous meaning. Combine this with social fragmentation, you can see how a wicked problem is in the making...Where is “intranet”. I have had people insist to me that intranet and SharePoint are two different things.For example, “Document Management” is missing – is it content management or collaboration? Where is the cloud?
Trying to boil the ocean is a symptom of a low maturity who thinks they can suddenly jump to high maturity overnight. You will spend a lot of money & time and it will probably have a nice homepage but sorry – your still low maturity. The phrase “Boil The Ocean" describes an attempt at something that is way too ambitious, effectively impossibleUnclear strategy is often a symptom of the panacea effect. You know you have issues but the shared understanding and deeper structure of the issue has not been fleshed out. But that doesn’t stop the propensity to throw a tool at itEveryone assumes that their view of the world is right and everyone agrees with it. Note I deliberately stereotyped people in this example but in reality its more than tools that enamour some will not uniformly enamour someone else
Trying to boil the ocean is a symptom of a low maturity who thinks they can suddenly jump to high maturity overnight. You will spend a lot of money & time and it will probably have a nice homepage but sorry – your still low maturity. The phrase “Boil The Ocean" describes an attempt at something that is way too ambitious, effectively impossibleUnclear strategy is often a symptom of the panacea effect. You know you have issues but the shared understanding and deeper structure of the issue has not been fleshed out. But that doesn’t stop the propensity to throw a tool at itEveryone assumes that their view of the world is right and everyone agrees with it. Note I deliberately stereotyped people in this example but in reality its more than tools that enamour some will not uniformly enamour someone else
4. This is a real problem, and the inevitable outcome from the “6 pillars” style marketing message that I showed earlier. There are many examples where trying to satisfy both requirements ends up working against the project and ends up with a watered down hybrid.5. Organisational culture : Competing Values Framework: Culture Types: Clan, Adhocracy, Market, Hierarchical Learning styles: Honey and Mumsford advocate, reflector, theorist, pragmatist Marsden DISC, Myers Briggs
When you combine those factors, trying to isolate the root cause is often clouded by arguments over turf or debate over what the root cause of a performance problem is.
When you combine those factors, trying to isolate the root cause is often clouded by arguments over turf or debate over what the root cause of a performance problem is.
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Issue Mapping frames things as issue-based rather than the conversational basis that we humans most often use, which favors dualistic (either-or) thinking, sloppy arguments, lack of evidence, tangents, implicit assumptions, skipped steps, bias, and over-simplification. Issue Mapping admits all viewpoints and offers a way of engaging and understanding an issue in a whole sense. The map holds competing views and contending actions in place visually, so that the brain can absorb the bigger picture and appreciate the validity and value of a larger perspective. Issue Mapping helps groups avoid jumping to easy answers or superficial conclusions, and promotes deeper reasoning, rigor, and even wisdomIssue Mapping can be used effectively for everyday business and personal decisions, but its potential is vast. Through the skillful use of questions an issue map has unlimited capacity to represent and clarify diverse points of view, conflicting interpretations and goals, inconsistent information, and other forms of complexity. Issue Mapping can even be applied to wicked problems ... if the politics of the situation allows for transparency, clarity, and rigor!
Yes it is better than before, but does this medium allow you to examine the deep structure of an issue and facilitate shared understanding.Rhetorical question: have you ever used a SharePoint meeting workspace to run a meeting on SharePoint planning or governance?It is a great “Shared Space”Single platform to bring information togetherPhilosophy of “use whichever medium suits your needs”Document LibraryWikiBlogListsWorklowWCMHowever it was never designed to specifically tackle “social complexity”
Wicked problems often have dozens of interrelated issues involved, but human short term memory is very limited, so unless one is extremely familiar with the all of the information related to all of the issues, the unaided exploration of these issues is confusing and error-prone. The power of IBIS as a notation is that it organizes all of the issues, positions, information, and assumptions so that all participants have the issue map as a point of reference
Issue Mapping is the process of crafting an issue map, a way of making critical thinking visible. An issue map is a graphical network that integrates many problems, solutions, and points of view and shows the deep structure of an issue.Issue maps can be sketched on paper, but larger issue maps are typically crafted using a software tool such as Compendium.
Issue Mapping does not replace SharePoint – it complements SharePoint extremely well. Once you understand your problem and move into solving it, SharePoint has the potential to come into its own.