Tools to Help People Solve Complex Societal Problems: the COMPRAM Methodology

Dorien DeTombe

Overview
DeTombe has developed the COMPRAM methodology (Complex Problem Handling Methodology), which is recommended by the OECD for addressing global safety issues, such as sustainable development, floods, hurricanes, large city issues, terrorism, pandemics like Covid, HIV/AIDS, SARS, water affairs, and economic challenges like the credit crisis.

The COMPRAM methodology is tailored for addressing problems encountered by governments, large international organizations, and businesses. It is recommended for handling wicked problems and has been applied to various real-world scenarios to analyze and solve complex interdisciplinary societal
problems. 

A Closer Look

The COMPRAM methodology is based on three major components for handling complex problems: knowledge, power, and emotion. Knowledge refers to the domain of the problem, power involves the decision-making process, and emotion relates to the human aspects of the problem. The COMPRAM methodology trains facilitators to handle diverse groups of people by emphasizing the importance of cooperative problem-solving guided by a facilitator. In the COMPRAM methodology, the role of a facilitator is to guide the problem handling process in a neutral manner, ensuring that all participants canv be heard, the information is stored and available, and emotions are handled properly. The facilitator is responsible for seeing that the problem handling process is performed adequately, democratically, and efficiently. They also ensure that all information from the group processes is stored and available for later use.

The COMPRAM Methodology is described in Dorien J. DeTombe’s 2015 book, Handling Societal Complexity: A Study of the Theory of the Methodology of Societal Complexity and the COMPRAM Methodology (Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 550 pp.; ISBN 978-3-662-43916-6).

The Participants

The COMPRAM methodology brings together several groups, each with a different role in the process:

The facilitator guides the overall process and helps participants work through each stage.

Multidisciplinary experts take part in the first stage, using systems thinking and system dynamics modeling to define the problem, its context, and the relationships among its different elements.

Stakeholder groups participate in the analysis and development of possible solutions. These groups may have different levels of influence and may be affected by the problem in different ways—some may benefit, while others may experience harm or disadvantage.

The wider public becomes involved as possible decisions and their societal consequences are considered. Public responses, concerns, and values may emerge through group discussions, public debate, and the media.

A Structured Framework

The COMPRAM methodology is a structured framework for addressing complex societal problems. It guides participants through six stages:

1. Problem identification: Neutral experts from multiple disciplines define the problem, its context, and the stakeholders involved, establishing a shared knowledge base.
2. Problem analysis: Different stakeholder groups examine the problem’s causes, consequences, competing interests, and power relationships.
3. Problem solving: Experts and stakeholders work together to develop and evaluate possible solutions.
4. Decision-making: Participants select the most appropriate solution, consider likely societal and emotional responses, and plan its implementation.
5. Implementation: The chosen solution is put into practice and its progress is monitored.
6. Evaluation: Participants assess the results, determine how effectively the solution addressed the problem, and identify lessons for future action.

The desired outcome of the multidisciplinary group process is lasting, sustainable progress toward a shared goal.

Examples of the COMPRAM Methodology in Practice

The COMPRAM methodology has been applied in different regions of the world to address a wide range of complex societal problems. Examples include:

Africa: addressing road maintenance and pothole problems.

Serbia: helping architects plan a cemetery intended to serve communities affected by opposing sides in past conflicts.

Ukraine: examining questions of financial responsibility related to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The Netherlands: addressing competing uses of the North Sea and issues related to the development of Schiphol Airport.

Indonesia: exploring traffic problems in Medan, Sumatra.

Brazil: preparing for potential terrorism and security threats associated with football matches in Belo Horizonte. 

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