Two of the most challenging aspects of implementing an Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) approach to environmental issues include problem solving and achieving comprehensiveness in decision making. With the growing need and demand for public involvement on matters of environment issues, understanding and getting the correct problem on the one hand is necessary among various conflicting interests, perceptions and perspectives of the participants. Comprehensiveness on the other hand is implicit in dealing with the complex and interrelated nature of the environment. Consequently, we asked on how to identify the correct problem and why is it important? Moreover, is comprehensiveness in environmental decision making feasible and/or desirable? This blog however is devoted to problem-framing. We will be discussing more about comprehensiveness in the next posting.
Problem identification is very crucial in
addressing environmental issues. In
order to come with a viable solution, the problem must be captured correctly.
Problem definition will determine where one ends up. With the complex,
uncertain and highly political characteristics of the environment coupled with the
diverse knowledge and values of the people, different understanding and
interpretations of the issues may arise. ‘There are many ways of looking at the
problem, many paths worth exploring, and rarely is there one “right” solution’
(Bardwell, 1991). These varying interpretations are sometimes overwhelming and
discouraging, and hence may result to the participant’s helplessness in the
face of these issues. How to facilitate and bring together these different
views therefore is necessary to effectively provide a ‘good’ solution.To make a good problem-solving, Bardwell (1991) refer to a framework known as ‘problem-framing’. ‘Problem-framing emphasizes focusing on the problem definition and on consciously examining different interpretations of that problem’ (Bardwell, 1991). It represents a synthesis of both cognitive psychology and conflict management that manages information and creates a problem solving environment that not only encourages participation but can yield better approaches to environmental problems. It is a way of understanding both the problem-solvers (on how people tend to solve problems) and the problem itself in general. In other words, problem-framing is a concerted effort to focus on one’s understanding of a problem. But how problem-framing is being done?
To accomplish problem-framing, Bardwell
(1991) emphasized the ‘need for a usable
structure, or way of organizing information related to that problem, and an
effective process, with strategies
for managing the problem-solving effort’. How one shapes a problem definition
makes up the structure. The structure thus creates a model which provides
parameters for selecting and classifying new information. ‘The more coherent
one’s map, the easier is to step back and explore the dimensions of a problem’
(Bardwell, 1991). A structure also addresses confusion by establishing an
effective way of organizing information about the problem.An effective process on the other hand involves ways of managing and acting with the information relating to the problem. It is a matter of organizing the content of the structure. In order to be effective however, the process shall take into account some strategies. Some of the strategies provided by Bardwell include:
1.
Staving off solutions which basically tell us to avoid solving
the problem too quickly but rather focus on problem definition in order to
avoid inadequate or inaccurate definition of the problem. This process will
encourage exploring the issue by carefully looking other alternatives that may
possibly address it rather than focusing on one option and how to execute it.
2.
Limiting
information to provide constraints between being overwhelmed by a problem
that one gives up and feeling capable of effecting some change. It is the
acknowledgement of hazards that too much information may bring due to
disagreements over risks, objectives, accuracy and comprehensiveness of data in
environmental problem solving. Limiting information may facilitate agreement on
common database to increase mutual awareness and avoid hidden assumptions and
different interpretations.
3.
Choosing levels refers to gathering information based on the level at
which a problem is being addressed. Choosing the approximate scale for a given
situation however must encompass enough of the problem. To do so, the scale
that one chooses in addressing the problem must matches the structure, the
actions are link to the framework and considers personalization.
4.
Generating imagery defines how well the strategies are being
implemented. It is highly dependent on how one thoroughly knows the nature of
the problem. It involves the
establishment of patterns and a perspective from which to build various levels
for looking at a problem (Bardwell, 1991). Moreover, this will help in
identifying critical decision points and envisioning alternative scenarios. One
best example of imagery is through ‘success stories’.
5.
Developing metacognition to incorporate the notion of flexibility that
facilitates understanding which reduces ambiguity and avoids confusion in
problem solving. It is a way of simplifying a problem into manageable number of
parts by choosing to address one level to avoid trying to deal with everything
at once (Bardwell, 1991).
Identifying the right problem is not that
easy due to various challenges posed by different environmental issues and
information provided by various individuals. But certainly, getting the correct problem will lead to a
better and more effective measures to address them. Bardwell has provided
us a framework that we can use as a guide in dealing with it through the
concept of problem-framing. Problem-framing thus avoids jumping quickly into solutions or being trapped into a goal
which might be addressing the wrong problem. Moreover, problem-framing aims to
manage information from varying and sometimes conflicting views and interests
of the people facing environmental problems. Achieving common goal through
proper analysis of the whole picture of the situation will definitely result to
a better judgment and decision.So what do you think mates? Do you have any other ideas of what and how to make better problem identification? Don’t hesitate to share them with me. Thank you very much and see you all on my next blog.
References
Bardwell, Lisa V. (1991).
Problem-Framing: A Perspective on Environmental Problem Solving. Environmental
Management, Vol. 15, No. 5:603-612. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
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