Business Sucks at Wicked Problems

Still sucks. Even after decades of trying.


Overstatement? Not at all. Think about the following: Compare the current state of work and leadership at your company (...if your work-life is peachy, broaden your view to include ten of your closest friends...) to the definition of and criteria for wicked problems .



A wicked problem is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize. The term ‘wicked’ is used not in the sense of evil but rather its resistance to resolution.



Sound familiar? Aren't many of the goals you are handed incomplete or contradictory? Isn't a given that most every project you are handed consists of changing requirements? Isn't it often difficult to recognize what's really causing the problems you need to solve?




Wicked problems meet these criteria:

1. The problem is not understood until after the formulation of a solution

Sound familiar? 

2. Wicked problems have no stopping rule

While projects and financial quarters do have a stopping rule (when success or failure is determined), the problems they are addressing rarely do

3. Solutions to wicked problems are not right or wrong

Sure, some measures of your work — e.g., costs or quality — may be absolute and right or wrong...but many (most?) measures of your work fall into gray areas

4. Every wicked problem is essentially novel and unique

Doesn't it seem that way to you more and more in your work?




Additionally... Super wicked problems meet these criteria:


1. Time is running out

Sound familiar? 

2. No central authority

OK, we'll concede this one. The one criteria on this page that surely does not match your situation!

3. Those seeking to solve the problem are also causing it

Sound familiar? 

4. Policies discount future irrationality

Sound familiar? 




We need to start accepting that more and more of our workplace problems are wicked problems, requiring disruptive, epic and novel solutions!