Categories: Design Thinking

Fat Problems

Previously we talked about Skinny Problems. They’re easy to identify and solve. In contrast, Fat Problems are not so easily solved. And, they require a wider focus and possibly design thinking to do so.

WE prefer skinny problems

Our thinking uses up so much energy, our brains have evolved to use shortcuts. As a result our brains are lazy – they look for predictable or easy solutions. Therefore we naturally prefer skinny problems. And one of our weaknesses is that we often see fat problems in skinny ways. This doesn’t work very well for the following reasons…

Less easily solved

Skinny problems are easy. Fat ones are not. Think of a complex maths problem. It’s solve-able and not easily.

Cause and Effect are NOT obvious

With Fat Problems, it’s not so easy to see what is causing the effect. With terrorism and the events of 9/11, it was clearly caused by a bunch of guys hijacking a plane and crashing it into a building. Whilst tracking down those responsible is part of a short-term solution, it may not prevent a similar event from occurring again. The real question to ask is: What motivated them to do it? When you find the source, you can solve the problem more effectively.

Involves multiple Domains

In the case of terrorism, it’s not just a political and military problem, it’s also a social one. Plus, it’s a global issue that involves different cultures, laws in different countries, different languages and different religious beliefs. A complex melting pot!

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Fat Problems require a wider view

Fat Problems are not solved by Skinny Thinking.

Skinny Thinking is like using a telephoto lens. It allows you to get up close and it narrows your attention.

In contrast, Fat Thinking requires a wide-angle lens. It allows you to have a wider, more distant view. This way we see more of the context or landscape in which the subject is standing in.

When faced with a problem we need to choose what to focus on. Think of it as framing your photo. Do you want a close up of the subject’s face with no background? Or, do you want their entire body standing in the wider landscape? Are you focusing on the forest or the trees?

Source: Book Rapper, Wicked Thinking. Derived from Eric Knight’s book Reframe.