Once you have used the Systems iceberg and you have found a few solutions, you might want to check them on a solutionary scale. These 2 concepts might feel like they are the same thing, but the systems iceberg is more for finding solutions, whereas the solutionary scale evaluates them.
Yet again I’ll be using the example of “Litter”
Levels
The solutionary scale has 4 levels. The deeper they go the more impact they will have, and the more they prevent side effects.
1. Symptomatic Solutions
Symptomatic solutions address only the visible signs of a problem, without fixing underlying causes. It can even introduce new harms. Let’s take litter in the park as example, a symptomatic solution might be to “organize a one‑off clean-up day and recruit volunteers.”. Now why is this level 1? You only remove the litter from today, and all the volunteers might disturb wildlife whilst cleaning.
2. Structural Solutions
Structural solutions go deeper by addressing root causes and reshaping system structures, though some unintended harms may remain. Let’s go back to our beloved example. “We are going to install more trash bins and recycling stations at key park entrances and picnic spots.” Now this will surely help, but let’s look at why it is level 2. “We reshape the park’s physical layout to catch more waste at the source. Litter rates drop, but trash bins need emptying which costs money and manpower; trash bins attract pests if they are not managed”
3. Transformative Solutions
Transformative solutions drive fundamental shifts toward system‑wide sustainability, while striving to avoid negative effects. We can understand this better by looking at our example, which gets a little bit more complicated:
Install smart waste bins with sensors that alert crews when they’re full, and develop an app that helps people locate the nearest available bin. Complement this with monthly community events where participants commit to taking their trash with them rather than leaving it behind.
This sounds like the perfect solution, but it is just a number 3, why is that? We use technology and behaviour change to reduce waste impact, bins don’t overflow much, crews can optimize routes, and visitors learn to take out their own trash. There are some possible problems like unclear sings and overflowing bins, but these are addressed through data and insights.
4. Generative Solutions
Generative solutions spawn entirely new possibilities and benefits that extend beyond the original problem, fostering innovation and resilience. Any potential downsides are actively addressed. We can see this yet again in our example:
Partner with local schools and tech volunteers to co‑design an interactive “Eco‑Trail” experience. This would include an Augmented‑reality scavenger hunt where visitors earn digital badges for picking up litter and logging it. It would also include an AI‑driven park‑health dashboard open to the community, showing wildlife sightings, air quality, and waste trends in real time.
Why is this a number 4 solution? We transform the park into a living lab. This sparks ongoing innovation and local entrepreneurship. Any downsides (data privacy, tech reliance) are explicitly managed.
Wrap-up
Like the Systems iceberg, it becomes harder the further you go. Why go for a level 4 solution when a 2 solution does everything you need? It is important to reflect on this.
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