Wicked Problems: Flexible Characterizations and Visual Representations

The term “wicked problem” is used to describe a wide range of challenges that defy definition or resolution. These descriptions often reference Rittel and Webber’s 1973 publication, repeatedly listing the ten properties they proposed. However, rather than taking any set of properties as definitive, I argue that wickedness is better understood through a broader range of possible characteristics, including those shared with other problem classes, such as “messy,” “ill-defined,” and “complex” problems. Additionally, rather than viewing wickedness as an objective property of certain problems, I propose that it is better seen as a subjective aspect of how problems are experienced. Problems can appear wicked in different ways and to various extents, depending on the individuals, groups, and contexts involved. We can improve how we think about, talk about, and address these differences by visually representing problems in a way that flexibly captures their subjectivity, relativity, and dynamics. To illustrate this, I present some problem characterization radar plots that show how property selection, grouping, and scoring can convey wickedness. These plots support discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of adopting visual methods in stakeholder engagement activities. • The term “wicked problem” is used independently of Rittel and Webber’s work. • Their ten properties of wicked problems are expanded, contracted, and replaced. • Different people see problems as wicked in different ways and to different extents. • The types and extents of wickedness can be visualized along many dimensions. • This reveals how wickedness changes between problems, stakeholders, and timeframes.