This document discusses techniques for solving "wicked problems", which are problems that are difficult to solve due to having complex interactions and no clear solutions. It recommends using visual and facilitated techniques like role playing, storytelling, and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is a facilitated meeting technique that uses LEGO bricks as a common language. It ensures active involvement from all participants and produces more concrete ideas and results through 3D visualization and metaphors. Meetings facilitated by this technique stay on topic without creating personal conflicts.

1. Use visual and facilitated
techniques
for solving
wicked problems

2. Wicked problems
"...for which each attempt to create a solution
changes the understanding of the problem"
Horst W.J. Rittel and Melvin M. Webber, professors of design and
urban planning at the University of California at Berkeley, 1973,
Policy Sciences magazine (CogNexus Institute,
http://cognexus.org/id42.htm)

3. • Wicked problems always occur in the context
of human systems, reflecting the diversity of
perspectives, paradigms, and views of reality
of the individuals involved.
• Wicked issues are different because
traditional processes can't resolve them

4. Wickedest problems by 1500
top executives*
1. Balancing long-term goals with short-term demands
2. Predicting the returns on innovative concepts
3. Innovating at the increasing speed of change – organizational
agility
4. Winning the war by world-class talent
5. Combining profitability with social responsibility
6. Protecting margins in a commoditizing industry
7. Multiplying success by collaborating across silos
8. Finding unclaimed yet profitable market space
9. Addressing the challenge of eco-sustainability
10. Aligning strategy with customer experience
* Standford University

5. Visual and facilitated
techniques

6. MONIAC (Monetary National
Income Analogue Computer)

7. Role Play

8. Storytelling

9. Lorenz Equation haken

10. Design Thinking

11. LEGO®SERIOUS PLAY®

12. LEGO®SERIOUS
PLAY®
is a facilitated
meeting,
communication
and problem-solving
technique for groups

13. LEGO®SERIOUS
PLAY® :
more insights
more concrete ideas
fewer misunderstandings
… more fun

14. • LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, the LEGO bricks serve as a common
language that anyone can use, regardless of their education,
position or culture. This ensures that everybody’s knowledge and
insights are surfaced.
• The starting focus in LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is on each individual
and not the group. This means that the structure of the process
requires every one to be actively involved in the decision
process, which increases the probability that all parties will honor
the decisions and agreements after the meeting.
• LEGO SERIOUS PLAY produces more concrete ideas and
results, because everyone has time to build her or his answers
and input before conversation and knowledge sharing begin.
• LEGO SERIOUS PLAY ensures faster and better communication
and understanding because it uses 3D visualization, metaphors
and stories. This also leads to fewer misunderstandings.
• Meetings facilitated by LEGO SERIOUS PLAY stay on topic
because the focus is on the bricks – not on the person. This also
allows the discussion to become very intense without creating
personal conflicts.

15. Maka De Lameillieure
GSM +32 0498 91 94 99
Maka@flandersinshape.be
@MakaDLM