SHStephan Hitchins
Menu
Design Thinking
Browse all resourcesDesign Thinking OverviewHuman-centred DesignWicked ProblemsDesigners MindsetCreative ConfidenceEncouraging CreativityDesignerly ThinkingCritical ThinkingResearchProblem StatementsIdeationPrototyping
About the Framework
About the 5E Design Thinking FrameworkWhy the Framework ExistsThe Framework in PracticeWhy the Terminology ChangedA Complementary ApproachThe Visual LanguageProductive TensionsResponsible Innovation
The Five Stages
5E Design Thinking Framework overviewEngage with Empathy (Stage 1)Evaluate and Define (Stage 2)Thematic AnalysisStakeholdersCompetitive Analysis
Explore and Ideate (Stage 3)
Overview
Generate Ideas
Explore Opportunities
Shape Concepts
Responsible Innovation
Expand and Prototype (Stage 4)
Prototype
Experiment
Experience
Feedback
Improve
Execute and Test (Stage 5)
Knowledge Hub
Engage (10 guides)
Evaluate (10 guides)
Explore (10 guides)
Expand (10 guides)
Execute (10 guides)
Responsible Implementation (10 guides)
Focussed Open Thinking
Workshops
Future of Education
Resources
Browse all resourcesFocusDialInnovation Knowledge ArchivePrototype GalleryRoadmap to Innovation
OpenStudios
Why OpenStudios?For EducatorsLearning PhilosophyCollaboration and Visible ThinkingEnter OpenStudios ↗

Influential Thinkers

Horst Rittel

Systems ThinkingReturn to Influential Thinkers →

Archive record

An idea within a larger history.

Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber introduced the concept of wicked problems to describe complex social challenges that resist straightforward definition and resolution. The concept remains central to design thinking today.

This record is part of the evolving Innovation Knowledge Archive. Its relationships below reveal how people, publications, methods, projects and intellectual movements have influenced one another across time.

Related ideas

Continue through the connections.

These relationships are generated from shared historical records, intellectual streams and recurring ideas. They provide a starting point for exploration and will become more precise as the archive develops.

01Landmark Projects

Wicked Problems Introduced

The same historical record, viewed through another collection

Open connection →02Essential Books

Richard Buchanan Connects Wicked Problems with Design Thinking

Shared intellectual stream: Systems Thinking

Open connection →03Methods and Frameworks

Richard Buchanan Connects Wicked Problems with Design Thinking

Shared intellectual stream: Systems Thinking

Open connection →04Methods and Frameworks

Wicked Problems in Design Thinking — Richard Buchanan

Shared intellectual stream: Systems Thinking

Open connection →05Essential Books

Charles Darwin Publishes On the Origin of Species

Shared intellectual stream: Systems Thinking

Open connection →06Essential Books

Russell Ackoff Publishes Redesigning the Future

Shared intellectual stream: Systems Thinking

Open connection →

Keep exploring

Return to the collection or open the complete archive.

Influential Thinkers →Innovation Knowledge Archive →