metagame-analysis

The chapter introduces the book's focus on problem structuring methods (PSMs) designed to address complexity, uncertainty, and conflict in decision-making contexts. It presents the backgrounds of key contributors, outlines the book's purpose to introduce six accessible and practical PSMs, and emphasizes the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the work, situating it within a distinctive British tradition. The chapter also includes acknowledgements and foundational references that highlight the collective effort behind the book's creation.

The chapter illustrates the application of robustness analysis through the educational and career decision-making process of a young client, Sarah, demonstrating how the method empowers informed choices despite uncertainties and non-traditional client profiles. It then introduces metagame analysis as a framework for understanding cooperation and conflict among actors, defining key elements such as actors, options, and situations, and highlighting the use of the CONAN program to manage strategic information. Together, these methods emphasize flexibility, transparency, and accessibility in problem structuring and decision-making under complexity and uncertainty.

The chapter explores the metagame approach to analyzing cooperation and conflict, emphasizing the role of emotional credibility in strategic interactions such as promises, threats, and resistance. It introduces the CONAN computer program and demonstrates metagame analysis through a workplace conflict role-play, highlighting the consultant's Socratic method of client self-education. The exercise situates the problem within an organizational context using the management cross, illustrating the interplay between technical and political aspects of management and the importance of understanding power dynamics and stakeholder interests.