Describes three types of problems and how to tackle them. After the writings of Horst W. J. Rittel, a professor of architecture at Berkeley.

1. simple, complex &
+ why you should care
problems
wicked

2. @seandurham

4. Horst W.J. Rittel
1930–1990
Taught at UC Berkeley,
University of Stuttgart

5. Wrote about
planning projects
with lots of factors
and stakeholders

6. 3 types of problems
• Simple
• Complex
• Wicked hard

7. 3 types of problems
• Simple
• Complex
• Hella hard

10. That monster is in
my way

11. Simple problems
AKA school problems
- Problem is clearly defined
- Stakeholders agree on what the problem is

13. C5 needs
designers

14. We need to find more potential hires
We need potential hires to find us
We need to get better at vetting potential hires
Potential definitions

15. Complex problems
AKA business problems
- Problem is not clearly defined at first
- Stakeholders must work to understand and
agree about what the problem is before solving it

17. Westeros
needs a
leader

18. Hey!
I’m in charge here

20. I’ll let him
think that
for now

21. But I’m the
true heir to
the throne

22. I don’t have an opinion,
but my dragons do

23. Who wore
it better
than me?

24. The North has
its own king now

25. Why do we pretend
kings have all the power?

26. The true war
lies north
of the
wall

27. What if
people
can’t agree
on the
problem?

29. You
just follow
your heart,
Ned

30. Wicked problems
AKA political problems
- Problem cannot be clearly defined
- Stakeholders can’t hope to understand
or agree about what the problem is

31. How do you solve a
simple problem?

32. • Research the problem & existing solutions
• Explore possible solutions
• Specify/implement desired solutions

33. How do you tame a
complex problem?

34. • Clarify the goal
• Deliberate with others to form consensus
• Research the problem & existing solutions
• Explore possible solutions
• Specify/implement desired solutions

35. How do you tame a
wicked problem?

36. • Work toward your vision of the solution
• Work to win people over to your point of view

37. • Authoritative: Let the experts decide
• Excludes stakeholders
• Requires authority have power
to enact a solution
• Competitive: Pit points of view against one another
• Enables comparing solutions
• Discourages sharing information
• Collaborative: Involve all stakeholders
• Challenging to get consensus in a large group
After N.C. Roberts “Wicked Problems and Network Approaches to Resolution.”, 2000

38. 99 problems

39. I need to
pack for
a trip to Europe

40. Patrons don’t know
when the museum
is open

41. I can’t
make
ends
meet

42. The busses don’t run
on time

43. Profits
are
down

44. The rent
is too
damn
high

45. Maria

46. Need to improve
user retention

47. Tech workers are
raising my rent

48. I need to get to work

49. Everyone needs
to get to work

50. I need a beer