Some problems can’t be fixed by quick solutions or standard checklists. They’re “wicked problems” — complex, messy, and deeply interconnected with human beliefs, politics, and environments. Climate change, health inequity, organizational silos, or poverty are classic examples.
Before we rush into solving them, we must understand them systemically — this is where the Explore phase becomes vital.
What Are Wicked Problems?
The term “wicked problem,” coined by Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber (1973), describes issues that:
-
Have no clear definition or boundaries
-
Have no single solution, only better or worse outcomes
-
Are symptoms of other problems
-
Involve conflicting values and interests
Unlike “tame problems” (like fixing a leak or coding an app), wicked problems live in the realm of uncertainty and disagreement. Every attempt to fix them changes the situation itself.
The Explore Phase: Understanding Before Acting
In systems thinking, the Explore phase is the first step of problem structuring.
Rather than asking, “How do we fix this?” it asks, “What is really going on here?”
Exploration involves:
-
Mapping multiple perspectives — seeing how different actors frame the issue.
-
Surfacing assumptions — revealing mental models and hidden boundaries.
-
Understanding relationships — between causes, consequences, and feedback loops.
-
Recognizing uncertainty — accepting that we may never have a single “truth.”
This phase prevents premature action and helps design interventions that fit the system’s reality, not our assumptions.
Seeing Through Systemic Lenses
Wicked problems can be explored through multiple systemic perspectives — each offering a unique way to frame the situation:
-
Mechanical Perspective – Views the problem as a machine to optimize.
Useful when processes need efficiency or technical alignment. -
Organismic Perspective – Sees the system as a living organism.
Useful for understanding growth, adaptation, and balance. -
Cultural/Political Perspective – Recognizes power, beliefs, and human dynamics.
Useful for exploring conflicts, trust, and values. -
Societal/Environmental Perspective – Frames the system within its wider context.
Useful for addressing sustainability, ethics, and long-term impacts.
By shifting between these lenses, we avoid oversimplifying complex realities. Each view contributes to a fuller, more honest picture.
Why Systemic Framing Matters
When we skip the Explore phase, we often treat symptoms instead of causes. For instance:
-
A company facing high turnover might focus on salaries, missing deeper cultural or leadership issues.
-
A city tackling pollution might regulate traffic, ignoring housing or planning systems.
Systemic framing ensures that solutions address root causes and balance short-term gains with long-term viability.
From Understanding to Action
Once a system is explored, patterns begin to emerge — reinforcing loops, balancing feedback, leverage points, and mental models. These insights guide the next phase: Designing interventions that are adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable.
The goal is not to “solve” wicked problems but to navigate them — learning, adjusting, and evolving as the system responds.
Conclusion: The Wisdom of Slowing Down
In a world obsessed with quick fixes, the Explore phase teaches us the power of slowing down. By framing wicked problems systemically, we build shared understanding, uncover deeper dynamics, and craft wiser paths forward.
True systemic change begins not with action, but with awareness.
