Question

What are “wicked problems” in public policy? Define wicked problems and provide 1-2 examples. What are some barriers to solving wicked problems? As a current or future public administrator, what skills should you have to address wicked problems? In your opinion, what policy implementation theories reviewed by Stanford & Moulton (Ch. 2) can best inform your understanding of how to deal with wicked problems?

Answer 1

" Wicked " means immorally wrong and problem means wherer we stuck the situation whose solution we are unable to find out. A wicked problme is defined as an immoral problem which is unable to solve. A problem which is impossible to solve because of different parameters such as inadequate knowledge, incomplete information, changing requirements etc. It defines a problem which is unable to fix whose solution we are unable to find out for example education , poverty, terrorism . These are such problems which have never ending proces because of the mindset of our society. In today's society the people mindset has been changed they only focus on their life till our mindset has not been changed these problems are not solved . These are called wicked problems. There are some points which describes the wicked problems:-

1. Wicked problme s are difficult to define.

2. Solutions of wicked problems are good or bad.

3. There is no immediate solution available for wicked problems.

4. There are multiple solutions or explanations are available for wicked problems.

A wicked problem can be solved by the following steps which are as follows:-

1) Identify the problem and thei r cause:- The first step to solve the wicked problem is to identify the main cause reasons behind the problem why this problem is arised , reasons behind that problem understand it and analyse it briefly.

2) Identify the opinions or solutions:- After understand the main cause of problem now next step to identify the diffent consequences or solutions for that problem which is possible . When we share any problem to a group we get different options or opinions of that particular problem by which understand the different parameters.

3) Analyse the solution or different parameters:- The next step when we get different options or solutions of problem now it's time to analyse each solution give by individuals and understand which is the bestest option through which we can easily solve the problem . The pros and cons of each and every opinion .

4) Evaluation of problem with the best solution:- Now the next step when we find the best solution now it's time to apply that solution with that problem then we are able to know whether this solution is best for the problem and we are able to tackle this problem with this solution in future also.

5) Refine the options:- After applying the solution with that problem we came to know the pros and cons . What effect has been happens to that solution on that problem or on our society or in the environment . If we got positive results than the solution is best but if the negative imapct is happens then we have to refine the other options . We again start the process to find out the best option for any given problem