Complex Problem Analysis/Framing with the E5 Approach

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Complex Problem Analysis/Framing with the E5 Approach

🔥 It's not uncommon for organizations and people to spend too little time and effort to examining and defining a problem before trying to solve it. Especially when the problem is (very) complex, this is a dangerous tendency.
If you are looking for a method and road map to thoroughly analyze a complex issue and avoid rushing into solutions prematurely, you should consider using the E5 approach of Binder and Watkins to "problem framing". It’s comprised of 5 stages and corresponding tools:

1. EXPAND. Establish a multi disciplinary and diverse team and let them first identify all facets of the problem, setting aside preconceptions, opening their mind, identifying assumptions, generating alternative hypotheses, and finding blindspots.
2. EXAMINE. Root Cause Analysis. Dive deep into the problem to identify root causes. Use an iceberg model to distinguish between layers of causation: surface level events, behavioral patterns that drive them, underlying systematic supporting structures, and even more underlying mental models.
3. EMPATHIZE. Stakeholder analysis. Who are most central to and affected by problem. Build an in-depth understanding of how stakeholders perceive the issue: what do they think and feel, how do they they act, what do they want. Use a Power/Interest analysis as well as empathy maps (say, think, feel, do).
4. ELEVATE. Analyze how the problem relates to broader organizational issues. You can use the 4 Frame model of Bolman and Deal which offers 4 lenses to look at the problem from a structural, HR (relational), political, and symbolic viewpoint.
5. ENVISION. Synthesize the ideas from the previous 4 E’s to craft a shared vision of the desired future state or goal and what it takes to get there. Use backcasting to reverse engineer from a clear desired goal into the path or road map with various changes in tactics, processes, policies, technologies, and behaviors, as well as the milestones to get there, in a step by step fashion.

Source: Binder J. and Watkins M.D., "To Solve a Tough Problem, Reframe It: Five steps to ensure that you don’t jump to solutions", HBR Jan-Feb 2024, pp.80-89.

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		2 Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
	Role of Clarity of Inner Being in Problem Analysis All five can happen in a trice for a person having clarity of inner being without knowing explicitly all the five Es. For example, I experienced it when I met my guru when he was physically alive. I had an argument with my parents before visiting my guru and the moment I approached him at his residence which is far away from my place, he immediately said one should not disobey his parents. Mind you there is no way my parents are in touch with my guru at that point of time. I think clarity of inner being has a major role to play in formulating complex problem analysis.

		3 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	How to Approach a COMPLEX Problem? @Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar: Thank you for sharing this remarkable story about the guru that seems to shed a different light on this discussion. Having a clear mind is certainly useful when faced with a problem. Note we focus here and now on approaching COMPLEX problems, in particular the need to first analyze ("frame") this special type of problem. In such case, blindly or impulsively following someone else's advice (such as that of the guru) or your own first instinct is exactly what you should NOT do... Rather you would be wise to start by bringing together a multidisciplinary group. Avoid jumping to conclusions by taking the time in that group to gather and consider all aspects and angles of the problem. Only when this is done thoroughly can you proceed to further stages of complex problem solving and apply approaches like Dialectics or Integrative Thinking and ultimately Making a Decision in the Toughest Situations. ❗All in all: When you're confronted with a truly complex problem, start with the 5 Es of Binder and Watkins.

		1 Keesjan Kleef Project Manager, Netherlands
	Ideas on How to Use 5E Method Interesting approach. I find it important to note that there is usually a need to revisit a stage and that sometimes you should not start with stage 1. For instance, sometimes it is necessary to do stage 3 first in order to be able to create the multidisciplinary team for stage 1. And then stage 2 can lead to new stakeholders that were unclear in the initial analysis of stage 1 and these stakeholders can lead to the fact that you need to expand further the problem and you need to revisit stage 1. Within the Logical Framework Analysis method you can create a problem tree. I find it a good tool to Expand on the problem en find root causes. In the end it gives you focus on where the real problem is. Also it always seems to help if you are able to visualize the problem. So to create a problem tree or mindmap helps as a tool stage 1 and 2. By the way, in Stage 1 (Expand), I'm not sure if setting aside preconceptions is always the right approach. Usually these are very telling in how a stakeholder is viewing the problem and what is the cause of it. So for me preconceptions are important and useful in identifying assumptions and possible causes.

		0 Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
	Role of Intuition in Complex Problem Solving @Jaap de Jonge: It's right to follow 5E approach and it is pertaining to usage of intellectual layer. But the point here is that by way of intuition also such complex problem analysis can be done and it can only be done by having a clear inner being. By clarity of inner being I meant a state devoid of tendencies or tending to the state at which a person is devoid of tendencies lurking at different layers of individual. Even today at some places we have such human beings who have attained such a state by practicing inner engineering. The question is can such inner engineering be practiced in the day to day business transactions? The answer is yes by practicing karma yoga..

		0 Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
	5Es and the KT Context I regard the 5 Es as a positive extension of the Kepner Tregoe approach. The 5 Es seem to cover 2 themes: the actual process and the context within which it takes place. First however, I would mak...

		2 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	A Complex Problem Must be Analyzed as a Whole A truly complex problem can not be separated into parts. This is because the issues and parties concerned are influencing each other - often in several ways. In strategy we call this: "feedback loops"...

		1 Dr. Winston Lynch Director, United States
	An Appropriate Approach to Complex Problem I agree with Jaap de Jonge that complex problems cannot be separated given the difficulty in identifying the root cause of the problem or the causation to the problem. To get to the source of the prob...

		1 Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
	A Complication of Complexity @Jaap de Jonge: I agree that the 5Es are a good addition to the toolkit. I agree that one should not rush in to dealing with complex situations without adequate consideration. However: - If there i...

		0 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	Complex or ‘Wicked’ Problems Yes, what actually is the precise meaning of the term "complex"? According to Rittel, Webber, and Melvin, complex or "wicked" issues are typically defined as those that include the ability to approach...

		0 Olaf de Hemmer Business Consultant, France
	System Thinking and Modeling for Complex Problems Solving Thank you Jaap for this proposal AND your discussion. I (and a lot of other people) use Value(s) Design and "system thinking" to model "complex" issues, turn "problems" into "unmet needs", in order t...

		1 Gary Wong Consultant, Canada
	Apply a Complexity Science Lens If you going to tackle a complex problem, I suggest that your approach be based on Complexity Science. According to the Santa Fe Institute, a complex system is characterized by no central control, eme...

		1 Gary Wong Consultant, Canada
	Complex Problem-solving Inspired by Cynefin Framework A different approach is detailed in Managing Complexity (and Chaos) in Times of Crisis. It was developed by Dave Snowden in conjunction with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. While the...

		0 Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
	The Wicked Mindset The nature and referents used for this “complex-wicked problems” topic, from the language to the premises and conclusions, trouble me. Re the characteristics given, the logic or rationale for some hal...

		0 Dorothy McKinney United States
	Modern Systems Engineering Has Ways to Deal with Wicked Problems (part 1) @Jaap de Jonge: In 1973, Ritter, Webber and Melvin characterized wicked problems as having the characteristics shown below. Under each one, I offer my current view, as a very experienced systems engin...

		1 Dorothy McKinney United States
	Modern Systems Eng Has Ways to Deal with Wicked Problems (part 2) Every solution to a wicked problem is a "one-shot operation"; because there is no opportunity to learn by trial-and-error, every attempt counts significantly Current view I think modeling has ch...