Recent events have reminded us of the VUCAD world in which we live – one in which we are regularly confronted with, and called upon to address, a wide range of “wicked problems”. A term which is often misunderstood by “outsiders to the risk world”, wicked problems are typically defined as…

“…those problems for which any resolution that could be proposed only generates further issues, and where solutions are not true or false or good or bad, but merely the best that can be done at the time based on the available evidence.”

(ISRM Centre for the Study of Wicked Problems)

In recognising the centrality of being able to address such issues, and indeed to acknowledge the recent launch of the ISRM Centre for the Study of Wicked Problems (CSWP), this particular publication is concerned with “wicked problems”, and to exploring the range of associated considerations. Not surprisingly, a review of the featured articles would seem to indicate that we best try not to “manage” wicked problems in the regular sense, let alone trying to actually solve them. A core principle that becomes clear is that in order to address wicked problems, we need to adapt our traditional problem-solving approaches and paradigms – we need to reconsider how we frame, approach, and manage them.

I trust you will enjoy reading the articles in this issue, and encourage you to reflect on the key concepts raised as we continue to enhance our understanding and application of the same.

Dr Paul Johnston FARPI FISRM ChFInstP RPP
Journal Editor