Skip to main content
simple, complex &
+ why you should care
problems
wicked
@seandurham
Horst W.J. Rittel
1930–1990
Taught at UC Berkeley,
University of Stuttgart
Wrote about
planning projects
with lots of factors
and stakeholders
3 types of problems
• Simple
• Complex
• Wicked hard
3 types of problems
• Simple
• Complex
• Hella hard
That monster is in
my way
Simple problems
AKA school problems
- Problem is clearly defined
- Stakeholders agree on what the problem is
C5 needs
designers
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
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
Westeros
needs a
leader
Hey!
I’m in charge here
I’ll let him
think that 

for now
But I’m the

true heir to
the throne
I don’t have an opinion,

but my dragons do
Who wore 

it better

than me?
The North has 

its own king now
Why do we pretend
kings have all the power?
The true war
lies north
of the
wall
What if
people
can’t agree
on the
problem?
You
just follow
your heart,
Ned
Wicked problems
AKA political problems
- Problem cannot be clearly defined
- Stakeholders can’t hope to understand 

or agree about what the problem is
How do you solve a
simple problem?
• Research the problem & existing solutions
• Explore possible solutions
• Specify/implement desired solutions
How do you tame a
complex problem?
• Clarify the goal
• Deliberate with others to form consensus
• Research the problem & existing solutions
• Explore possible solutions
• Specify/implement desired solutions
How do you tame a
wicked problem?
• Work toward your vision of the solution
• Work to win people over to your point of view
• 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
99 problems
I need to
pack for
a trip to Europe
Patrons don’t know 

when the museum 

is open
I can’t
make 

ends
meet
The busses don’t run 

on time
Profits
are
down
The rent
is too 

damn 

high
Maria
Need to improve
user retention
Tech workers are
raising my rent
I need to get to work
Everyone needs 

to get to work
I need a beer