Heuristics and Meta-heuristics for Coping with Messes

Abstract

Abstract: Given the importance of Wicked Messes, we need to say more about ways of dealing with them. In a series of publications, we and our colleagues have developed a number of Heuristics for Coping with Messes. If the underlying conditions are met, there is every reason to believe that they will accomplish their intended job. Nonetheless, they are only Heuristics, i.e., approximate rules of thumb. As such, they do not guarantee that we’ll be able to cope successfully with a Mess. Worst of all, they can even backfire such that instead of making Messes more manageable, they can make them worse, thus producing the exact opposite of what’s intended. Still, they’re all that we have. Nonetheless, by not looking at their potential downsides, the inescapable conclusion is that some of the most important aspects of Messes have not been given the serious consideration they demand.