The non-codified use of problem structuring methods and the need for a generic constitutive definition

Yearworth, Mike; White, Leroy

doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2014.02.015

Cited by 50 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…The results presented here are a summary of an evaluation of the STEEP methodology (Yearworth 2014) 8 , which was primarily carried out with a view to methodological learning (Yearworth & White 2014) and based on approaches suggested by Ormerod (2013) and Midgley et al (2013). Here we focus on the Purposes and Outcomes dimensions of the Midgley et al framework, specifically focussing on the narrative report for the project.…”

Section: Bristol Project Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PSMs are generally not used with the expectation of achieving definitive "problem solving" but are more commonly used to reduce uncertainty and "tame" a problem (Rittel & Webber 1973). The methodologies generally follow a process of establishing a shared understanding of the problem situation, capturing and diagrammatically representing diverse points of view about the problem, and then exploring the problem through system modelling techniques, group work and analysis (Ackermann 2012 Yearworth and White (2014).…”

Section: Problem Structuring Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Methodology development for STEEP 5 was guided by the generic constitutive definition of PSMs, as defined in (Yearworth & White 2014). The methodology focused on structured ways of engaging with the problematic situation of transition to a low-carbon urban district, with respect to the scope of the transformation necessary to achieve the defined transition and its stakeholding (i.e.…”

Section: The Steep Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the key concepts in CSH is the "reference system" which informs the views of stakeholders on the problem situation, and is defined as 'the context that matters when it comes to assessing the merits and defects of a proposition' (Ulrich & Reynolds 2010). The process of 2 CSH fulfils the requirements of a PSM in that it covers most of the generic constitutive definition from (Yearworth & White 2014). …”

Section: Critical Systems Heuristics and Boundary Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate change and cities: problem structuring methods and critical perspectives on low-carbon districts

Freeman¹,

Yearworth²

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

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Cities around the world have set climate change mitigation targets, yet actions to implement these targets have so far proved inadequate. Better methodology is needed to support this impetus for action.Problem structuring methods (PSMs) enable improvements to be made in wicked problem situations; they appear to have potential to improve climate change mitigation actions but they are difficult to carry out in highly pluralist problem contexts. A case study (STEEP) that applied a PSM to support lowcarbon urban energy master planning in three cities is presented. The STEEP methodology was effective in reducing the wickedness of the problem but issues of a lack of clarity on problem ownership and lack of interessement were seen. A reflective boundary critique study found that there was a mismatch between power and interest amongst key stakeholders towards the low-carbon vision. Three key issues identified in the case study were discussed through the lens of critical systems thinking: (i) the need for new competencies, (ii) dealing with wickedness, and (iii) behavioural complexity and discordant reference systems. The paper suggests how these issues might be improved through the application of non-PSM theories which can support the use of PSMs in improving city-level climate change mitigation.Key Words: Problem structuring methods; problematisation; Boundary Critique; climate change mitigation; critical systems thinking IntroductionRecent decades have seen slow and insufficient progress on climate change mitigation -the reduction of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to below a "safe" level, as recommended by climate science (Edenhofer et al. 2014). Climate change mitigation has been described as a "wicked" problem (Rittel 2There is much potential for cities to play an active role in climate change mitigation. A 40% reduction in carbon emissions from UK cities could be possible by 2020 just from investing in cost-effective lowcarbon technologies (Sullivan et al. 2013). City governments often control some of the key factors related to carbon emissions such as land use planning, building regulations, public transport, and waste management (Kousky & Schneider 2003). Across the world, cities are joining together to support each other in the goal of transitioning to a low-carbon future (for example, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (www.c40.org) and Local Governments for Sustainability (www.iclei.org)). In reality, however, low-carbon cities are difficult to achieve. A study of eight new-build eco-cities found that the idea of building smart, sustainable cities is still relatively new and unproven, with projects being To guide the reader through the rest of this paper, a brief description of the main sections follows:• Section 2, Background -Perspectives on Urban Climate Change Mitigation: A review of the literature on the nature of the problem of climate change mitigation at the city level, including barriers to mitigation, ideological perspectives from social science, and governance mechanisms that ha...

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Section: Bristol Project Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Problem Structuring Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Steep Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Critical Systems Heuristics and Boundary Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Climate change and cities: problem structuring methods and critical perspectives on low-carbon districts

Freeman¹,

Yearworth²

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

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“…Sadly this has resulted in cases appearing in journals presenting problem structuring work that is not theoretically or analytically sound, which potentially undermines the credibility of the areaa potentially fatal consequence given the scepticism shown by many in the operational research world for 'soft' OR modelling (Mingers, 2011). When conducting and reporting problem structuring interventions that involve existing or new methods, then adherence to the constitutive principles (Yearworth & White, 2014) or theoretical frameworks underpinning these methods is paramount if the field is to grow and be sustainable in the future.…”

Section: The Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%