1.1 Why do we need a framework for tackling complex interdisciplinary problems? Gabriele Bammer
It is well-recognised that… Well-developed, established, reductionist methods can only take us so far in dealing with complex (wicked) problems. They don’t deal well with critical aspects like…
Y M T S E
E V A L U S
T C O N E X
N U K O W S
T C O N E X N U K O W S Y M T S E E V A L U S I M P E R F E C T I O N
Population ageing Gun control Global warming Killer bacteria Education crisis Stockmarket crash Boat People Sustainability Rising hospital costs Organised crime Biodiversity loss Terrorism
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems Constraints: ideological, cultural, political, economic
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems Constraints: ideological, cultural, political, economic Multiple value conflicts
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems Constraints: ideological, cultural, political, economic Multiple value conflicts Resistance to change
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems Constraints: ideological, cultural, political, economic Multiple value conflicts Resistance to change Data uncertain or missing Considerable uncertainty and ambiguity
Complex real-world problems Horn, R. E. and Weber, R. P. (2007), New Tools For Resolving Wicked Problems: Mess Mapping and Resolution Mapping Processes. http://www.strategykinetics.com/files/New_Tools_For_Resolving_Wicked_Problems.pdf Connected to other problems Constraints: ideological, cultural, political, economic Multiple value conflicts Resistance to change Data uncertain or missing Considerable uncertainty and ambiguity Contradictory solutions Numerous possible intervention points Consequences difficult to imagine
Kulla’s Ripple by Tim Spellman
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A framework is needed to… Ensure all the elements of complexity are taken into account Provide a way to communicate between researchers handling complex problems in different ways Provide a way to store and organise relevant concepts, methods and cases
Exercise… Think about the problem you are working on. Using the characteristics above: in what ways is it complex?