Untangling “Wicked Problems”
Some problems refuse to be neatly solved. They shift, evolve, and resist traditional methods of resolution. These are sometimes known as "wicked problems."
Written by
Amanda Petefish -Schrag
Wicked problems are complex, multifaceted challenges that defy simple solutions. Unlike issues that can be fixed with a single, clear-cut answer, wicked problems are deeply entangled with multiple interconnected forces, including social, political, economic, environmental, and technological factors.
Key characteristics of wicked problems include:
Interconnected Complexity – Wicked problems involve many interdependent factors, making them seem impossible to untangle. (Wong)
Defy Formal Solutions – These issues cannot be solved through purely rational or mathematical means. (Schuler)
Context-Specific Responses – Addressing a wicked problem depends on stakeholders' values, goals, and resources, requiring a blend of perspectives and methods. (Schuler)
Require Interdisciplinary Collaboration – No single field or expertise can tackle wicked problems alone; they demand cross-sector approaches.
The Language Barrier: Why "Wicked" Doesn’t Always Work
The term "wicked problem" effectively conveys complexity, but it can also present communication challenges:
Misinterpretation – "Wicked" can imply moral judgment rather than systemic difficulty.
Lack of a Universal Definition – Different disciplines interpret "wicked problems" in varying ways, creating confusion.
Overuse – The phrase is sometimes applied too broadly, weakening its original meaning.
Defeatism – If wicked problems are so complex, does that mean we shouldn’t even try?
Cultural Variability – The perception of what constitutes a wicked problem differs across societies.
Narrow Audience – The term is often used in academic and policy-making circles but may be unfamiliar to others.
Reframing the Conversation: Alternative Terms
As you engage with the conference, you may encounter alternative terms being used to identify the types of challenges described above:
Entangled Issues
Messy Problems
Interdependent Challenges
Persistent Dilemmas
Adaptive Challenges
Systemic Issues
Cross-Sector Challenges
Grand Challenges (Common in sustainability and policy discussions)
Moving Forward
Rather than feeling paralyzed by the idea that wicked problems cannot be easily "solved," embracing their complexity can lead to more adaptive, innovative approaches. Addressing these problems requires interdisciplinary collaboration, creative thinking, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty.
For those attending this puppetry conference, these ideas are especially relevant. Puppetry, by its very nature, thrives on metaphor, abstraction, and layered storytelling—powerful tools for grappling with complex, interconnected challenges. Puppeteers understand that critical steps in any problem solving require exploring, revealing, and reimagining. Whether through performance, community engagement, or educational initiatives, puppetry provides unique ways to foster dialogue, encourage multiple perspectives, and experiment with new ways of understanding our most pressing and complex issues. Addressing the complex challenges of our contemporary age requires interdisciplinary collaboration, creative thinking, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty – all key aspects of Applied Puppetry practice.
Amanda Petefish-Schrag
Amanda is a teaching artist and theatre practitioner working in overlapping performance areas - puppetry, directing, and playwriting. Her theatre research and practice across these areas focuses on theatre's social-ethical function within communities, particularly as it relates to humans, ecology, and the environment
Throughout her work, she strives to cultivate relational, community-engaged and oriented theatre practices — re-imagining what theatre is and who it is for.