Bringing the "Wall of the Unknown"
Down:
Reframing Complex Problems
by Adrian Wolfberg and
Katherine C. Stewart
Download the full article: Bringing the "Wall of the Unknown" Down
Occasionally, intelligence problems - new and existing - defy existing
methods and techniques and become stubbornly persistent. Examples of analytic
challenges include changing methodology in the face of new global factors;
finding a methodological approach for a new topic when no methodology has
existed before; creating a network of professionals to solve a cross-discipline
and cross-functional problem when no network exists; and exploring the impact of
a not-quite-yet-understood threat. These challenges require analysts to do
something different than what they normally do because if they do not, nothing
different will happen. The first step to ensure something different happens is
to frame or reframe the problem in a new way. Only then can existing or new
technical methods and techniques be used to begin solving the problem.
Download the full article: Bringing the "Wall of the Unknown" Down
Adrian (Zeke) Wolfberg directs the Knowledge Laboratory, a
command sponsored enterprisewide resource for change within the Defense
Intelligence Agency.
Katie Stewart is a consultant with Toffler Associates. She leads
the Full Spectrum program for the DIA Knowledge Lab which focuses on increasing
analytic rigor and collaboration against agency hard problems.
About the Author(s)
Comments
Zeke and Katie,
Excellent article. I believe that yall have contributed to the overall community. Im glad yall published this essay as it mirrors many others thoughts in the wicked problems field. If I may, I will provide one criticism pertaining to your opening paragraph and two additional thoughts to consider on what you describe as the "Wall."
"Occasionally, intelligence problems - new and existing - defy existing methods and techniques
and become stubbornly persistent."
A while ago, as I redeployed from combat operations and began to study small wars and wicked problems, I thought that the problems that I encountered in Iraq were new and different. Over time, I changed my mind. While my problem sets were unique, they were not new. The more that I read through history, the more that I understand that "there is nothing new under the sun."
Instead, I would submit that our existing methodologies, specialization in learning, and failure to comprehend history limit our ability to understand. Thus, creating what you describe as the wall. Just something to consider.
So, how do we reframe the problem? How do we extract ourselves out of seemingly intractable problems? How do we clean up messy situations? You offer one useful method using the Wall. Here are two other ways that I think are worth checking out.
1. Conceptual Blocks.* Dr. Adams describes a conceptual block as anything (learning, culture, environment, ego, emotions) that blocks our ability to see a problem as it is not as we wish it to be. He proposes that we must destroy our conceptual blocks and learn to think anew.
2. The Resistance.** Steven Pressfield writes extensively on his blog about overcoming writers block which he dubs resistance. He describes the resistance as the voice in the back of your head that tells you that the possible is not possible and you should just quit your current endeavor.
I hope that this is helpful.
Again, good work, and I look forward to reading more of your words. I will convey my sympathies to Katie. I can only imagine how difficult it was to attend an undergrad school where they lost every football and basketball games. Go Tar Heels.
Respectfully,
Mike Few
*Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas. Dr. James Adams. http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Blockbusting-Guide-Better-Ideas/dp/020…