rotterdam school of management
erasmus university
Partnerships Resource Centre & new world campus
The Wicked
Problems
Plaza
The Wicked Problems Plaza
Wicked problems are hard to define, let alone solve.
The Wicked Problems Plaza enables participants to
address wicked problems in a systematic and creative
way by identifying and connecting relevant stakeholders
using a scientific methodology. Situated at the heart
of the New World Campus in The Hague, the Wicked
Problems Plaza works on facilitating collaborative and
entrepreneurial solutions for wicked problems.
Wicked problems demand wicked solutions
The Wicked Problems Plaza makes viable and sustainable solutions
attainable for professionals working in complex environments.
Why wicked problems?
Solutions are often a compromise; there is limited thinking
‘outside of the box’
There is limited willingness to discuss other scenarios
and solutions
There is an absence of a safe space in which to share
dilemmas and expectations, and to work on collaborative
and viable solutions.
The format
The Wicked Problems Plaza (WPP) is an intellectual concept
developed by Professor Rob van Tulder of the Partnerships Resource
Centre (PrC) at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
(RSM). The Wicked Problems Plaza is located in the New World
Campus (NWC) in the Hague, which is a hub for entrepreneurs,
researchers, development practitioners and investors who work
together on global issues relating to sustainability and international
development. The WPP methodology is further developed and
customised by the PrC in collaboration with the NWC.
There are simple problems, and complex problems. Simple problems
are easy to solve. Complex problems resist solving and often require
other ways of thinking. Wicked problems even resist defining. They not
only require other ways of thinking, but also require the involvement
of other (interested) parties to work on solutions. Our increasingly
interconnected world faces many wicked problems, but at the same
time also unprecedented opportunities and innovations to address
them. Wicked problems include challenges like poverty, inequality,
global health and environmental degradation. These challenges
demand new ways of thinking and more sophistical approaches based
on collaboration with a large number of stakeholders.
The WPP aims to provide entrepreneurial’ solutions to societal
problems that require interaction of all societal spheres, and that
lead to sustainable and inclusive approaches. The Plaza brings
stakeholders with diverse – and often divergent – perspectives and
interests together. The Wicked Problems Plaza provides a safe
environment in which participants are taken on a journey – lasting
an hour, a day or more – from abstract problems and vague ideas
to realistic solutions and potential business cases. The Plaza uses
techniques to actively identify dilemmas and remove blockages that
hinder collaborative solutions.
Wicked Problems share four characteristics:
1.Incomplete or contradicting information
2. A large diversity of opinions and possible solutions that obstructs
the achievement of any definite strategy
3. Economic costs that are too big for the individual parties involved
4. Stakeholders that have unequal or incongruent desires and stakes.
A session at the Wicked Problems Plaza starts with systematic
identification of the dimensions of the problem or of the proposed
solution. It is during this discussion that dilemmas and trade-offs
emerge, and are thoroughly discussed by the stakeholders.
Wicked problems are cross-sectoral and universal, and therefore
demand change that involves stakeholders from every part of society:
from profit, non-profit, public and private organisations.
There are several reasons why wicked problems are not adequately
addressed:
Not all stakeholders are fully engaged
The real problem is not addressed because suggested solutions
are too simple, too technical or too naïve
There is no realistic business case for the solution, so its
financial sustainability is limited
Expectations are too optimistic or too divergent
The process
Stakeholders are invited to brainstorm entrepreneurial business ideas
that would be economically, socially and ecologically sustainable and
viable. Each session is guided by skilled facilitators who encourage
participants to think laterally by sharing lessons learned. These might
include ‘brilliant failures’ and ‘idiotic ideas’ that can help to generate
new perspectives. The facilitator ensures that every dimension of the
problem or solution is addressed.
The Plaza does not guarantee ready-to-use solutions. Ideas generated
during the sessions will almost certainly require further development
and nurturing. The WPP team will be available to guide the
participants in their next steps. One of the possibilities is to further
develop the ideas in a ‘Sustainable Living Lab’ at the New World
Campus.
“You cannot solve a problem
with the same kind of thinking
that created the problem in
the first place”
Albert Einstein
The heart of the New World Campus
The plaza is the heart of the NWC in The Hague. The Plaza is designed
to function as a ‘pressure cooker’ and a safe space to trigger ideas and
work on collaborative, creative, entrepreneurial and realistic solutions
for wicked problems. During focal WPP sessions the Plaza is closed,
but if there are no sessions in progress the WPP is open for the public.
There’s a permanent display of ideas around the NWC corridor to
inspire people taking part in wicked problems sessions. They show
common projects and themes in which the NWC is active.
During open sessions the New World Campus community can take
part in a WPP session, and can contribute to wicked problems such
as ‘Improving food production in Africa’; ‘Increasing water productivity
– creating more crop per drop’; ‘Solving the plastic soup’; and wicked
problems related to Sustainable Development Goals.
The Wicked Problems Plaza is a multifunctional and safe space
in which participants are encouraged to behave in a way that
addresses wicked problems in a constructive sequence. Participants
are encouraged to use their collective intelligence to bring critical
elements in at the right time and create real and sustainable solutions
that are both pragmatic and idealistic.
Intended for who?
This is an opportunity for organisations and individuals to expand
their comfort zones within a safe and well-organised space. It might
be that the WPP can help if you have an idea that does not sit
comfortably, a solution that nobody understands, or a problem that
is not addressed. The Wicked Problems Plaza enables participants to
co-create entrepreneurial solutions to complex problems such as the
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Wicked Problems Plaza is intended for professionals and leaders
of NGOs, companies, government institutions, and in general, groups
interested in approaches that encourage ‘out-of-the-box thinking’.
Each session is tailor-made to your particular wicked problem, which
means the session will require you to do some preparation. You’ll get
help from the WPP team to identify your stakeholders and how to use
the Plaza, and we’ll recommend follow-up activities. The team has a
wide network of organisations, companies and knowledge institutions
that can help you bring relevant stakeholders into your session.
Hosting a Wicked Problems Plaza session at the New World Campus
has the added benefit of involving the wider network of the New World
Campus. The facilitation team uses specifically devised methods to
guide participants through the process, and helps them to continue
the journey by providing support in building partnerships, developing
businesses and offering the opportunity to create a Sustainable Living
Lab for developing and testing and prototype solutions.
Please contact Harry Derksen for any queries about the Wicked
Problems Plaza:
Email Tel.
[email protected]
+31 6 2223 1149
New World Campus
Spaarneplein 2
2515 VK DEN HAAG
Participants move through four spaces representing distinct phases and dimensions
of the challenge at hand.
the interest space
the equity space
the efficiency space
the partnering space
These spaces are instrumental for finding novel but viable solutions. The Plaza offers
modern tools and infrastructure so participants can go through these phases in a
structured, safe and inspiring way while having fun. The sequence of phases may change
according to the nature of the basic proposition, or its departure from the viewpoint of a
solution, a problem or an ideal.
Rotterdam School of Management,
Erasmus University (RSM)
The New World Campus
is a top tier European business school and ranked
development practitioners and investors who work
among the top three for research. RSM provides
together on global issues relating sustainability and
ground-breaking research and education furthering
international development. These complex problems
excellence in all aspects of management. RSM’s
affect all countries and can only be solved by matching
primary focus is on developing business leaders
the innovative capacities of parties from different areas
with international careers who carry their innovative
of expertise. The ambition of the New World Campus
mindset into a sustainable future thanks to a first-class
is to stimulate cooperation between these different
range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive
actors and hence accelerate the innovations by
programmes. RSM also has offices in the Amsterdam
connecting them both online and offline at a physical
Zuidas business district and in Taipei, Taiwan.
Campus space in The Hague. Connecting knowledge to
is a community of entrepreneurs, researchers,
entrepreneurship and accelerating growth of innovative
The Partnerships Resource Centre
solutions are the key elements of the New World
Mandeville Building T4-22
Campus.
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel. + 31 10 408 1126
Email [email protected]
WWW.RSM.NL
new world
CAMPUS
1505. www.panart.nl
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© 2015 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. The information in this publication
is correct as of May 2015, but RSM reserves the right to make changes affecting policies, fees,
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