On Decision-Analytical Support for Wicked Policy Issues

Area of Science:

• Decision analysis
• Policy studies
• Social sciences

Background:

• Wicked policy issues are characterized by socially determined and irreconcilable worldviews.
• Traditional decision-analytical tools struggle with deep uncertainty and conflicting values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of a multi-worldview approach for decision analysis in wicked policy problems.
• To explore how this approach can aid stakeholder deliberation and compromise.

Main Methods:

• Application of the decision making under deep uncertainty (DMDU) approach separately for each worldview.
• Utilizing a codesign process to inform the approach.

Main Results:

• The multi-worldview approach allows stakeholders to maintain solidarity with their value communities.
• It aids deliberation by representing alternative problem framings and their implications.
• It facilitates the identification of compromise solutions robust across different worldviews.

Conclusions:

• The Lempert and Turner multi-worldview approach offers a promising framework for addressing wicked policy issues.
• Operationalizing this approach is crucial for navigating complex, intractable policy challenges.