Mess, Problems, and Puzzles

Question 1

Who has written the article about puzzle, problems and mess and whos views is it based on

Answer 1

The article “Problems, problems, problems… is written by Pidd
The views of the three different problems is from Ackoff

Question 2

Name the three ways we have learned about problems and tell about their characteristics

Answer 2

Puzzles → Formulation and solution can’t be argued.

Problems → the formulation is agreed, but the solution is arguable.
Mess → both the formulation and solution are arguable.

Question 3

Name all the thing you can about a puzzle

Answer 3

Formulation and solution can’t be argued
The issue that needs to be addressed is clear, the number of options is known and there exist only a single correct solution. The puzzle is fully structured and when a solution is found we can be sure that it is correct

Question 4

Name all the thing you can about a problem

Answer 4

The formulation is agreed, but the solution is arguable

A problem has no single answer that is correct, there is an issue that needs to be handled

In a problem there may be agreement about the core issue, but there might turn out to be many equally valid solutions. Even when people agree on how to construct the basic issue, they may employ different approaches in attempt to solve the problem, it can be caused by their background, expertise, and so on
A problem could be transformed/reduced to a puzzle if the problem formulation is tightened enough, so there in the end only exists one solution.

Question 5

Name all the thing you can about a mess

Answer 5

Both the formulation and solution are arguable

A mess is a set of circumstances in which there is extreme ambiguity and in which there may seek be disagreement. In a mess there is a whole range of possible definition and descriptions of what is going on, and there may be no way of knowing whether a solution exists at all.

In a mess there are many issues to be faced, they are interrelated, and the interrelationships are often as important as the issues themselves.

A mess is a system of problems with multiple stakeholders who may hold different views of what is feasible and desirable.
In most organizations, strategic decision-making and management is closer to the idea of a mess than to the idea of a puzzle or a problem.

Question 6

What are the 3 criteria’s of a problem according to Ackoff?

Answer 6

1) The decision making, individual or group, has alternative course of action available
2) The choice made can have a significant effect
3) The decisionmaker has some doubt as to which alternative should be selected.

Question 7

What can be done about problems according to Ackoff?

Answer 7

They can be resolved, solved, or dissolved

Question 8

What types of approach to mess management (planning) are there according to Ackoff?

Answer 8

The clinical approach, the research approach, and the design approach.

Question 9

Problem handeling approach: Resolving

Answer 9

Approach for problem solving according to Ackoff 1981. Selects a course of action that yields an outcome which is good enough. Relies on the past (what have we done in the past). It is clinical planning approach and it is qualitatively. Often problems keep reappearing and get worse over time

Question 10

Problem handeling approach: Solving:

Answer 10

Approach for problem solving according to Ackoff 1981. To solve is to select a course of action that is believed to yield the best possible outcome that optimizes. Uses mathematical, real and simulated experimentation.

Question 11

Problem handeling approach: Dissolving:

Answer 11

Approach for problem solving according to Ackoff 1981. To solve is to change the system rather than satisfice and optimize. It is to change the nature and/or environment in which the problem is embedded. It uses both the clinical and research planning approach.

Question 12

Mess management: The clinical approach:

Answer 12

It deals with the messes and the system that contains them holistically, but it does not analyze them. The clinical planners gathers knowledge from those who works inside the system, such that they can create a formulate a consensual appreciation of the mess and decide on how to approach it. Clinical procedures are very participative and they try not to influence the method.

Question 13

Mess management: The Research approach

Answer 13

It analyzes the mess to identify parts and interconnections, then it formulates the parts with as little interconnection as possible, so they can be treated independently (decomposition). Disadvantage: when decomposing the interconnections lose their essential capabilities and properties.

Question 14

Mess management: The Design approach

Answer 14

A synthesis of clinical and research, where it adopts the advantages, and adding some new things. It involves a structured process of planning that has five phases:
1) Formulating the mess,
2) Ends planning,
3) means planning,
4) resource planning,
5) Design

Question 15

Which of the problem solving methods is connected to each approach according to Ackoff

Answer 15

The Clinical –> Resolve
The Research –> Solve
The Design –> Dissolve

Question 16

What is problem structuring methods (PSMs) according to Rosenhead

Answer 16

Problem structuring methods (PSMs) are a board group of problem-handling approaches whose purpose is to assist in structuring problems rather than directly with solving them.

Question 17

The characteristics of PSMs (problem structuring methods) :

Answer 17

PSMs have the following characteristics: (p. 4)
• Focus on the process of problem structuring, rather than the solution
• Use of visual representations
• Encouragement of multiple perspectives
• Consideration of conflicting objectives

Question 18

Name all the PSMs you can

Answer 18

-Hypergame analysis
- Interactive/Idealized planning
-Metagame analysis
-Robustness
-Soft systems methodology (SSM)
-Strategic assumption surfacing and testing
-Strategic choice approach (SCA)
Strategic options development and analysis (SODA)

Question 19

Explain hypergame analysis

Answer 19

An interactive approach to take action in conflict situations

Question 20

Explain Interactive/idealized planning

Answer 20

Aim to design a desirable organizational future and ways to make it happen
Generates scenarios to demonstrate the consequences of not taking action.

Question 21

Explain metagame analysis

Answer 21

An interactive method of analyzing cooperation and conflict among multiple actors
Construct possible future scenarios, analysts and actors use theses as a framework to explore their ability to stabilize the outcome at a more preferred scenarios by the use of threats and promises.

Question 22

Explain robustness

Answer 22

Focuses on maintaining useful flexibility under uncertainty. Enables participants and analysts to compare the flexibility maintained by alternative initial commitments.

Question 23

Explain Soft System methodology (SSM)

Answer 23

Used to redesign systems
Participants build ideal-type conceptual models, one for each relevant world views.
They compare them with perception of the existing system in order to generate debate about what changes are culturally feasible and systemically desirable.

Question 24

Explain Strategic assumption surfacing and testing

Answer 24

A method for tackling ill-structured problems where differences of opinion about what strategy to pursue are preventing decision.
First divide participants into groups each should produce a preferred strategy and identify key assumptions. Then reunite the groups, debate the strategies and assumptions then adjust to get an agreed solution.

Question 25

Strategic approach (SCA)

Answer 25

A planning approach centered on managing uncertainty in strategic situations.
Model the interconnectedness of decisions areas
Interactive comparison of alternative decision schemes helps to bring key uncertainties to the surface used to identify priority areas.

Question 26

Strategic options development and analysis (SODA)

Answer 26

A general identification method that uses cognitive mapping as modeling devise for eliciting and recording individuals’ views of a problem situation.
The merged cognitive maps provide the framework for workshop discussions and a facilitator guides the group toward commitment to a portfolio of actions.

Question 27

Name all the specifications Rosenhead has outlined for why a decision-aiding technology is more appropriate to messy, strategic problems

Answer 27

Eliminates much of the scope for advanced mathematics, probability theory and complex algorithms.
Identifies rather an alternative approach employing representation of relationships, symbolic manipulation and limited quantification within a systematic framework

Question 28

What are the properties of a mess according to Rosenhead?

Answer 28

Multiple actors, Multiple perspectives, Incommensurable and/or conflicting interests, Important intangibles, Key uncertainties

Question 29

What is the purpose of PSM according to Rosenhead (1996)

Answer 29

To make sense of a messy situation

Question 30

Ackoff (1981), a mess is defined as:

Answer 30

“A mess is a system of problems. A system is a whole
that cannot be decomposed into independent parts”.