International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

"A graphical pattern showing how members of a set of problems identified in a given situation aggravate or do not aggravate one another" (J. WARFIELD, 1995a, p.160).

The pattern represents the interconnected set of all interactions between the elements of a complex problem, as discovered through Interpretive Structural Modeling used by a group as representative as possible of all stakeholders.

As stated by J. WARFIELD and R. CARDENAS: "… it is the primary basis for understanding how the effects of work done to diminish problems propagate into the total program. If, for example, someone diminishes a certain problem, but does nothing to diminish those other problems that have been aggravating it, it is very likely that the problem that was diminished will make a strong comeback, and nothing useful will have been accomplished; while time will have been lost" (1994, p.307).

The problematique is thus useful in order to discover and if needed, eliminate undesirable side effects.

J. WARFIELD comments: "One of the significant values in such a pattern is that it reveals, to those who have produced it, the small subset of problems that are highly influential in preserving the problematic nature of the situation; while also revealing which problems tend to be created by other problems. In addition, it often reveals the presence of "problem cycles"; i.e. subsets of problems that are mutually aggravating, tending to form a small problem world unto themselves, and giving a clue to the actors that such cycles may have to be dealt collectively with a strategy that recognizes the reinforcing feedback at work".

WARFIELD gives a graphical example, from which "it is very apparent that the problematique is not linear" (p.161).

A different, but more limited and less significant meaning is given to problematique in France, as "A world representation which questions the observed results" (M. LIU, 1989, p.41).

Here, the problematique affects "the observer", i.e. not a group, but merely an individual.

According to M. LIU: "A problematique is, for the observer, linked to some situation from which it araises…

"The problematique, as defined by a researcher, is linked to his own situation…

"A problematique is deduced from a situation by way of a diagnosis." (Ibid.)

Obviously, a diagnosis will be more valuable if resulting from the consensus in a group of stakeholders.

Warfield advocates the replacement of the expression "complex problem" by "problematique" in order "to show how the different component problems of what might be otherwise called a "complex problem" are interrelated, leaving aside the human tendency to want to think in terms of a one-element set (e.g. "the problem", free of interacting members)"

In his view this would eliminate simplistic and illusory solutions which generally lead to the re-emergence of the "problem".

J.N. WARFIELD and C.H. PERINO Jr. in a more recent paper explain that problematique as a concept and methodology "benefited from the writings of ARISTOTLE, ABELARD, LEIBNIZ, DE MORGAN, C.S. PEIRCE and HARARY". They add that the idea "has been extended to represent a structural portrayal applicable to specific problematic situations" and "Having been tested in many such situations, it can now be viewed as a standard format of wide utility in many applications"(1999, p. 221)

→ Interpretive structural modeling; Interactive management; Problem solving; Soft system methodology; Total system intervention