The steps to derive a problem from mess:
A mess is as the name implies a jumble of symptoms, data, pressures, opportunities etc – a mess is not clearly defined and may contain multiple as yet unidentified problems. A problem is a well defined situation capable of resolution. To derive and identify a problem from a mess one must employ critical thinking skills and remove any bias and emotion from the process. There may be several problems nested within a mess that may require identification and subsequent resolution. It may be the case that only the most serious problems will be addressed; this could be due to several factors such as time to resolution, cost to implement the solution (cost in money and cost in human capitol) and public perception. In the world of politics and government; public perception can take a good solution and table it in favor of a less preferred but better received option.
Problems can be well structured with the following characteristics:
i. The objectives are clear
ii. Any needed assumptions are obvious
iii. All needed data are available
iv. The logical structure behind the analysis is well understood.
By contrast an ill structured problem has all of the opposite characteristics as those listed above. As mentioned in the six step process; divergent and convergent thinking can be employed in identifying and solving the problem(s). Divergent though is a brainstorming where no idea or concept is off the table. Convergent thinking takes those ideas and pares down that list into more focused areas purposed with finding one best solution.
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