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ICEBERG - A systemic tool
We often get the design brief at a superficial level. To solve the wicked problems, one should go to the depth of problem identification. One way I do it is through using an ICEBERG diagram. This helped me get a direction for Design Research while I was trying to solve for a wicked problem of 'Homeless'
How can we make use of this?
Focusing the design resources by reacting at the superficial level does not solve the problem
If we target the problem at the level of Patterns/trends we provide a bandage without completely healing the problem as it is based on common assumptions
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To tackle the problem one has to understand the underlying structures
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Example: In the case of Homelessness in New York
We simply react by 'Giving a sandwich and a few coins'
Assumptions in this case: 1. The solution to homelessness is straightforward: Housing 2. Homelessness is largely a random phenomenon for those with the lowest income
In this case, People start becoming comfortable and do not plan for unexpected events
Why?
Because of the mental model of humans structured in a way that is not programmed to think about the future. Hyperbolic Discounting Given two similar rewards, humans show a preference for one that arrives sooner rather than later.
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Instead of giving them shelters, one needs to find a solution for this mental conditioning giving rise to Homelessness
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