Wicked Problem is a term coined by Rittel and Webber in 1973 to describe complex issues that are challenging both to define and solve. These problems are typically multifaceted, ambiguous, and steeped in moral, political, and professional implications. They are often dependent on stakeholders’ perspectives, leading to differing views on their nature and potential solutions.
Unique characteristics of wicked problems include their lack of definitive formulation and clear stopping rules. Their solutions aren’t objectively right or wrong but are subjectively evaluated as good or bad. These problems don’t have an immediate or ultimate test of a solution’s efficacy and offer no finite set of potential resolutions. Each wicked problem is essentially unique, often interconnected with other issues, interpretable in various ways, and leaves decision-makers accountable for the outcomes. Thus, addressing a wicked problem requires nuanced understanding and innovative approaches.
