Can a Long-Dead Swiss Astrophysicist Hold the Answers to World’s Most Challenging Problems?

An obscure scientific technique invented by a Swiss scientist who died more than 30 years ago might hold the secret to solving some of the world’s most challenging and seemingly intractable problems.

Norwich, United Kingdom (PRWEB) August 9, 2006 -- An obscure scientific technique invented by a Swiss scientist who died more than 30 years ago might hold the secret to solving some of the world’s most challenging and seemingly intractable problems.

Morphological Analysis, invented by Swiss-born astrophysicist Fritz Zwicky, is a technique for analysing and solving the most complex and unquantifiable of problems: problems for which there is no single ‘correct’ answer, and which are characterised by their tendency to change with every intervention.

Such problems have become known in science as ‘messy’ or ‘wicked’ problems, and they are found everywhere, in business, public sector organisations, government and throughout society. International terrorism, the alienation of urban youth, global warming, the funding of health services: all are examples of wicked problems.

Now an unusual relationship between Swedish Government defence scientists and a British business consultant is bringing the radical problem-solving approach to a much wider audience.

The British consultant is Simon Middleton. He chanced upon Zwicky’s theories when preparing a seminar on creative-thinking techniques for a business audience. Zwicky was a notable astrophysicist, responsible for the discovery of supernovae and of 'dark matter', as well as playing a key role in the early American space programme. But it was Zwicky's problem solving technique which captured the consultant's imagination. Simon Middleton began using the technique in his seminars and went on to write an online article about the technique, which was noticed by researchers at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

The Swedes have been using Zwicky’s Morphological Analysis for 15 years, and for the past 11 years have been using a unique computer-aided version of the approach. In that time they have carried out some 80 projects, in a wide range of areas from natural disaster planning, to anti-terrorism, through to emergency service resource allocation.

FOI has worked with virtually every Swedish Government department, as well as the governments of South Africa, the Netherlands and the USA.

The Swedish researchers made contact with Simon Middleton, and now, working together in an exclusive arrangement, they are bringing their pioneering approach to a wider audience, starting with the British corporate and public sector community.

Simon Middleton explains: “You just can’t successfully tackle ‘wicked’ problems through trial and error. The colossal consequences of ill-advised military interventions, or inadequate disaster planning are perfect examples of how ‘wicked’ problems can respond so badly to ‘suck it and see’ approaches. And the same is true in business. Millions of pounds are wasted which could be saved through this approach.

“That’s why Morphological Analysis is such a powerful technique, especially when it’s carried out with the skill and experience of the Swedish researchers.”

The great strength of computer-aided Morphological Analysis, according to Simon Middleton, is that it allows users to consider a great number of different options and outcomes before taking action, exploring every possibility in tackling a complex problem. By testing possible scenarios it can avoid the need to learn by making costly mistakes.

“The track record of the Swedes with this approach is amazing,” said Simon.

“They have solved complex and important challenges for Sweden’s national rescue services, environmental protection agency, foreign aid and development agency, Swedish Postal Services, and the Swedish Energy Agency, as well as the Center for Science, Policy, Outcomes in Washington DC, and recently the Netherlands Navy.

"It's been a slow-burn success, but now it doesn't need a great leap of imagination to see that the world needs a new approach to solving major problems more than ever more: the world is finally ready for Morphological Analysis," concluded Simon.

To find out more about Morphological Analysis and its application to the 'wicked problems' of business and society, visit www.simonmiddleton.com

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