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John Spacey, October 02, 2015 updated on August 25, 2017
A wicked problem is a problem that is difficult to solve definitively. The term is usually applied to problems that have resisted intensive attempts at a solution. In some cases, wicked problems have workarounds or solutions that are generally considered incomplete or sub-optimal.
NotesThe term wicked problem evolved out of business operations research in the 1970s to denote problems that were surprisingly difficult to resolve. Wicked problems can occur in any domain. A wicked problem is hard to solve due to factors such as complexity, uncertainty or conflict. ExampleAn environmental problem such as climate change is a wicked problem because it requires the cooperation of many nations to solve. Technically it is a quite simple problem to solve with techniques such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and biochar.|
Type | | Definition | A problem that is difficult to solve due to complexity, uncertainty or conflict. | Related Concepts | |
Thinking
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