Using Design Thinking to Address Wicked Problems

Keywords: wicked problems, design thinking, problem solving

Abstract: The proposed Professional Development Workshop explores the relevance of “wicked problems” for management students and illustrates a way to bring the concept to life, through a short, three-part simulation. The workshop draws on tools and concepts from design thinking, business ethics, business in society, and the emerging research on wicked problems. The exercise is designed to be adaptable for a wide of classes ranging from freshman to graduate courses. However, the main purpose of the workshop is to provoke a broader discussion about how to incorporate the concept of wicked problems into existing management curricula.