Problems and Messes

Abstract

As problems have evolved from simple systems to complex systems, so too must the methods we use to address them. However, machine age problems, consisting of simple systems, have traditionally been viewed from a largely technical perspective. In systems age complex problems, a predominantly technical perspective continues to be used at the expense of other complementary perspectives. Complex problems have been viewed, and hence, addressed, with a single predominant lens which has often been unsuccessful in solving many ill-structured, wicked, or messy problems. The development of multiple perspectives requires those faced with solving complex problems to include additional perspectives in order to achieve understanding. This includes the integration of hard and soft perspectives to ensure that, in addition to the technical perspective, the equally important organizational, political and human perspectives have been included. The application of multiple perspectives offers a more inclusive framework through which complex problems may be viewed. The integration of technical, organizational, political and human perspectives widens the aperture through which a problem is analyzed, which then increases the probability of correctly addressing ill-structured, wicked, and messy problems. Embracing these complementary perspectives, guidance is given on how to begin to decompose our mess into a number of discrete problems for analysis.