Top
Search
What They Say...

"I had been consistently astounded by the way in which their methods for the visualization and clarification of reasoning processes enables one to impose order on chaos and see what is really going on in complex, contentious and tangled debates..."
- Dr Neil Byron, former Commissioner, Productivity Commission

"They are making a significant contribution to the improvement of analytical standards in the public policy arena, particularly among young professionals. Austhink deserves the country's thanks for this."
- Ross Babbage, Founder, Kokoda Foundation

 "Austhink's methods for dissecting and clarifying complex pieces of analysis or public policy are first class."
- LTGEN (ret) Peter Leahy, former Chief of Army

"That Austhink has devised new methods for doing this is enormously to its credit and I only hope more businesses will start to adopt such methods. It will save an immense amount of money, time and frustration for them."
- Bruce Page, Energy Consultant  

More

Wicked Problem Facilitation

Austhink Consulting can help you tackle wicked problems by providing the services needed to build shared understanding using visual mapping techniques. Contact Austhink Principal Tim van Gelder for a no-obligation discussion of your wicked problem challenges.

What are wicked problems?

Ordinary or so-called “tame” problems reliably yield to the systematic application of well-understood techniques. Wicked problems, by contrast, are irreducibly and intractably complex, messy, variable, and uncertain. Examples include:
  • How can we ensure our city has enough water?
  • How can we protect ourselves against bushfire?
  • How should our business evolve in our changing marketplace?
  • How should salmon stocks be managed?

For more on wicked problems see

Tackling Wicked Problems

Wicked problems generally cannot be “solved” in the standard sense.  Rather, they must be handled or managed.  Significant progress can often be made when the problem is tackled well.

Wicked problems are usually socially complex – i.e., they involve many stakeholders, with diverse perspectives on the problem and distinct, perhaps competing interests.   Tackling these sorts of wicked problems requires building shared understanding among the stakeholders.  This is because the various perspectives contain pieces of the larger puzzle, pieces which must be taken into account in developing responses.   Also, the success of any responses will depend on the cooperation of the stakeholders.  That cooperation will be more easily obtained when the stakeholders properly appreciate the dimensions of the problem and feel that they have participated in crafting an appropriate response.

Shared understanding is achieved through dialogue among stakeholders.   It is not sufficient for stakeholders to submit their views, as in a traditional public consultation.  Rather they must meet to share perspectives, explore the problem together, and collaboratively craft a common understanding.

Mapping for Shared Understanding

This dialogue can be greatly facilitated by mapping techniques.  Mapping helps sort out the complex tangle of issues, ideas, arguments and evidence involved in any wicked problem dialogue, and presents the elements and their relationships in simple visual format.   A map forms an anchor or focus for discussion and articulates the shared understanding as it emerges.

In its most effective form, mapping is conducted “live” in a meeting of stakeholders.  A map is displayed on a large screen, and evolves in real time as contributions are made.  Mapping experts act as facilitators, driving the software generating the map, but also helping to guide the discussion.

How we can help

Austhink Consulting can provide the services required for successful mapping for shared understanding.  We can help in:

  • Designing and setting up the mapping sessions
  • Facilitation dialogue with live mapping
  • Producing high-quality maps displaying shared understanding
  • Distributing maps
  • Consulting on the larger wicked problem solving process

Why Austhink?

Mapping for shared understanding requires distinctive expertise.   Austhink have that expertise:

  • We have been providing mapping facilitation services to organisations large and small for a decade
  • We have developed software specifically for mapping complex issues and arguments
  • We have pioneered some of the mapping techniques, particularly argument mapping
  • Our network includes other world leaders in this area.

Austhink, Cognexus, and Dialogue Mapping

Working with our partner Jeff Conklin, Austhink can provide Cognexus’ distinctive form of mapping for shared understanding, known as dialogue mapping.