Wicked Questions is a Liberating Structure that encourages deep exploration and innovative thinking. It challenges assumptions and stimulates discussion by posing questions that have no easy answers. Here’s an elaboration on Wicked Questions, including how to facilitate it, when to use it, its advantages, and expected outcomes.

How to Facilitate Wicked Questions:

1. Preparation: The facilitator introduces the concept of Wicked Questions and explains its purpose. Participants are informed that the goal is to explore complex issues by posing challenging questions.
2. Question Generation: Participants are encouraged to generate open-ended, thought-provoking questions related to the topic or challenge at hand. These questions should challenge assumptions and encourage deep thinking.
3. Sharing Questions: In small groups or as a whole, participants share the questions they’ve come up with. The group can also collectively generate questions.
4. Discussion: Participants engage in a discussion around the posed questions. There are no right or wrong answers, but the goal is to stimulate thinking and explore different perspectives.
5. Synthesis: The group may identify common themes, patterns, or insights that have emerged from the discussion. These insights can guide further exploration or action.

When to Facilitate Wicked Questions: Wicked Questions are particularly effective in the following scenarios:

• Complex Problem-Solving: When facing complex challenges that require innovative solutions and deep exploration.
• Strategic Planning: In strategic discussions or planning sessions, Wicked Questions can help uncover hidden assumptions and stimulate creative thinking.
• Innovation Workshops: To foster innovative thinking and challenge conventional wisdom when exploring new ideas or products.
• Team Reflection: In team settings, Wicked Questions can be used to reflect on performance, processes, and areas for improvement.

Advantages:

1. Critical Thinking: Wicked Questions encourage critical thinking and stimulate deeper exploration of complex issues.
2. Challenging Assumptions: The questions challenge existing assumptions and norms, fostering a fresh perspective.
3. Innovation: They promote innovative thinking and creative solutions by breaking free from conventional wisdom.
4. Engagement: Participants are engaged in meaningful, thought-provoking discussions that can lead to insights and new perspectives.

Expected Outcomes: The outcomes of a Wicked Questions session may include:

• Deeper Understanding: Participants gain a deeper understanding of the topic or challenge through exploration.
• Innovative Insights: Wicked Questions can lead to innovative insights or unconventional solutions.
• Expanded Perspectives: The discussion broadens perspectives and challenges conventional thinking.
• Actionable Ideas: The session may generate actionable ideas or approaches to address the issue.
• Improved Collaboration: Participants collaborate in exploring complex issues and solving problems.

In summary, Wicked Questions are a Liberating Structure that promotes deep exploration, critical thinking, and innovation by posing challenging, open-ended questions. It’s a valuable tool for tackling complex challenges and encouraging fresh perspectives, making it a powerful approach for problem-solving, strategy development, and innovation.