The literature is filled with discussions, definitions, models and frameworks, of course, but in an effort to dissect this literature, I recently used an online tool to test my ability to explain "wicked" problems in a new way. The tool only allows you to use the Ten Hundred most commonly used words in the Oxford English Dictionary (Note: the word "Thousand" isn't on the list.) The process was developed by scientists who wanted to help people in better describing and understanding hard ideas.
The links to some of the relevant literature, in addition to the online editor tool itself, are set out at the conclusion of this, my "top ten" wicked problem list, which still makes me smile today. Enjoy.
- A hard problem is a very large human problem.
- A hard problem can't be fixed for many reasons. First, a hard problem has deep and dark corners. Second, a hard problem is not easily understood because there are missing words and ever-changing meanings. Third, there are too many people who can't come together and agree on how to fix it.
- A type of hard problem is a world that can't grow food or find clean water. Another type is people who can't read or who always fight. Another type is people who have no money, no job or no home. Another type is people who are scared or sick.
- Every hard problem happens because of another hard problem.
- Different from hard problems, an easy problem can be understood and fixed. Even if not simple, an easy problem is like putting a human in a new place in the world or making children able to stop being sick.
- Trying to fix an easy problem either works or it doesn't. Trying to fix a hard problem is not the same -- things either get better or they get worse -- which is not always easy to see or like.
- Fixing a hard problem doesn't always last and it may cause or add to other hard problems, which makes most fixes hard to trust or accept, and easy to fight, for three reasons. First, humans often believe that the fix will only make the problem worse. Second, humans often believe that the fix is hard to do and it won't matter anyway. Third, humans often believe that the fix needs too much money and that we will lose more than we get in return.
- The real world of trying to fix hard problems is just that - hard. The problems always continue, change and grow, and the fixes never completely work, and the humans do not agree on anything.
- However, any human idea not to act or to try to fix a hard problem is also a big problem.
- All we can do is work together, and to try as best we can to try the fix the hard problems and to make our way forward in this crazy, yet amazing, world.
How good are you in explaining the many "hard ideas" in health care or otherwise? Give this tool your best shot next time you're working on a fresh message that just might reach your audience.
Links:
Gawande, Atul (2012). "Something Wicked This Way Comes," The New Yorker (June 28, 2012).
Hirschman, Albert O. The Rhetoric of Reaction: Perversity, Futility and Jeopardy. Belknap Press (2004).
Kolko, Jon, Wicked Problems, Problems Worth Solving. Austin Center for Design (2012).
https://www.wickedproblems.com/
RIttel, Horst W. J.; Webber, Melvin, M. (1973). "Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning", Policy Sciences 4: 155-169.
Up-Goer Five Text Editor: http://splasho.com/upgoer5/
