Welcome to Transment Approach!

Thank you for visiting. We're sorry, but this website is only optimized for the desktop version (min. 1280×720 screen resolution).



Close
The Transment ApproachUnderstanding the essence of a "wicked problem"Identifying the need for a transformation-orientated transdisciplinary projectDeciding on a methodological approachGetting to know the Transment ApproachUnderstanding the problem in a broader contextWorking on solutions in a transdisciplinary teamNavigating a transdisciplinary processCombining the three rolesHelpdesk to set up a research project according to the Transment Approach

The Transment Approach

How can scientists contribute to change processes towards Sustainable Development?

To safeguard a future for humankind on earth, we face great societal challenges.

This scrollytelling format illustrates how scientists can design transdisciplinary processes, using the Transment Approach.

Meet Kim.

She's a 27 year old environmental
toxicology graduate.

"As a scientist, I want to contribute to a liveable world for all."

Kim is part of an interdisciplinary research group led by Lia, a professor of chemistry.

Lyn, Max and Ela, scientist from different disciplines, are also part of her team.

Her research group addresses a number of topics in the context of a more sustainable chemistry.
Phase out problematic chemicals Environmental quality criteria Regulatory ecotoxicology

In this scrollytelling, Kim seeks a research approach that contributes to the solution of a complex societal problem.

Depending on your knowledge in the field, you can start at different points of her story.

Structure of the scrollytelling

You can either start at the very beginning to explore the prerequisites for such a research project, ...

At the end of this story, Kim is familiar with the Transment Approach. She knows to which characteristics of a societal problem the Transment Approach fits best. She is ready for take-off. Helpdesk to set up your transdisciplinary research project according to the Transment Approach Understanding the essenceof a “wicked problem” Understanding the essence of a “wicked problem” Identifying the need for a transformation-orientated transdisciplinary project ...or jump ahead in the story to explore the Transment Approach. Deciding on a methodical approach Getting to knowthe Transment Approach Understanding the problemin a broader context Working on solutions ina transdisciplinary team Navigating atransdisciplinary process interdisciplinary transdisciplinary navigate Combining the three roles

Browse to the specific sections with the burger menu at the top of the page.

Understanding the essence of a “wicked problem”

Transformation is tricky:
What kind of problem are we talking about?

When checking her inbox, Kim receives a message from Paula, a former fellow student, who now works as a compliance manager for a tableware producing company.

Our bamboo cup a dangerous product?
One of our products, a bamboo cup, just got enlisted on the EU rapid alert system. We had no idea it contains chemicals legally banned in the EU.
I knew that the topic is very complicated.
We have so many suppliers and sub-suppliers spread all over the globe. This makes controlling the production processes almost impossible. Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what chemicals they use to make our products.
I thought, however, we were safe. We have our suppliers declare that certain chemicals are not used in our products. In addition, I have introduced certifications and various product tests.
I am now under a lot of pressure. How can I prevent such incidents?
Dear Paula, sorry to hear that.
Unfortunately, I don't have a quick solution at hand.
I’ll ask my professor for advice on the subject.

Lia is not surprised. There is an upcoming event on the issue of problematic chemicals in production processes. She recommends Kim to attend to dive deeper into the topic.

Actors from research, companies, NGOs and administration, but also policy makers participate.

Hover over on oneactor to find outtheir view. “There are so many products on the market. We focus our enforcement efforts on specific campaigns.” “Our direct regulatory power covers the EU market. We did our best to oblige companies operating in the EU to take responsibility by organising their supply chains appropriatly.” “As long as consumers request certain functions, we have to resort to respective materials. We can't do anything about it if these contain problematic substances. Our manufacturer has to offer better materials.” “We are forced to reduce costs and therefore outsource production. Our influence on what chemicals are used throughout the global supply chain is quite small.” “Our current patterns of production and consumption are putting workers at risk and poisoning our environment. We no longer accept this.”

Kim is puzzled. Each actor has a different view of the problem and the possible solutions due to their own interests.

After the event, Kim talks to her colleague Max about the impressions gained so far.

He mentions an article he saw in a newspaper the other day.

Dangerous chemicals hiding in everyday products

Experts concerned about health risks from everyday exposure.

Click here to listen

Click here
to listen

Dangerous chemicals

18 May 2023
Almost everything we touch and consume contains synthetic chemicals. Some of them are potentially harmful and experts warn of possible long-term health risks from everyday exposure. Stronger regulations are requested.

Many companies, however, refer to their certifications and claim sufficient product safety as they test their products regularly. This article aims to uncover where harmful toxins are lurking in our homes.

Kim is surprised about the companies' statements about certifications and product tests in the article.

Based on Paula's experiences, this doesn't make sense. More tests and audits are not enough to solve the problem! This is getting trickier and trickier. How can we get the problematic substances out of the supply chains?

Kim turns to her interdisciplinary team with her experiences.

Jour Fixe
I can understand why you see the problem as such a challenge. To me it looks like the actors here have to deal with a “wicked problem”.

Recap

What kind of problem are we talking about? Sustainability problems are often“wicked”. They are characterised by: Intertwined and volatile relationships betweenactors, often spread across the globe, and multiple dependencies between causes and effects. A lot of crucial information is inaccessible orunreliable. The definition of the problem is context-dependent. Everyone sees the problem and possible solutions from their own perspective framed by their ad hoc interests. There are no straightforward, simple solutions. Understanding the essence of a wicked problem Identifying the need for a transdisciplinary project
Identifying the need for atransdisciplinary project

Let’s tackle the wicked problem:
Do the actors from the field feel uncomfortable with the current situation?

Jour Fixe
So, our goal is to get the problematic substances out of the supply chain!?
Yes, but that means we have to understand the problem from a societal perspective.
…and we need actors to implement the solutions.
So for our transformative goal we have to proceed in a transdisciplinary manner.
For this, we need motivated practitioners who feel the urge to tackle the “wicked problem”.
Such pressure often arises from legal requirements or other external impulses. What is the situation there?
Do you think there is a window of opportunity?

The effects of problematic chemicals on humans and the environment through emissions in production processes and in everyday products have been known for a long time.

There are enough regulations that require companies to take responsibility for this.

For definitions of transformative and transdisciplinary research, click on the arrow.

Transformation-orientated research

Transformation-orientated research aims to support societal change processes towards sustainable development. To do so, it requires working to develop solutions with societal actors that they are willing and able to implement. A transformative project is therefore inherently transdisciplinary. The implementation of the solutions is part of a systemic change process towards sustainable development.

Transdisciplinary Research

A project requires a transdisciplinary approach if a problem cannot be solved in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary way, and requires the active contribution from societal actors . Depending on the problem and the objective, different degrees of cooperation are possible. Especially transformation-orientated transdisciplinary research aiming to initiate systemic change processes, requires intensive cooperation between science and the relevant societal actors. In this case, it is important that the actors involved identify with the results and act accordingly.

With this in mind, Kim remembers her recent encounters.

Hover over one of the actorsto see Kim's thought. NGOs NGOs have taken up the issueand organised themselves well.They pinpoint the need to act. Brand & retailer Brands and retailer fear reputationaldamage and product liability cases. Inaddition, they are uncertain to whichextent they are incompliant. Public authority Despite the lack of resources, publicauthorities should tackle the problem ofnon-compliant products strategically. Thiswould support the companies prepare forthe coming new legislative requirements. Productmanufacturer Product manufacturer feel thattheir business models are underpressure. However, they no easyway to address the issue. Policy maker At the EU level, in the context of the„Green Deal“ new legislative initiatives-are emerging.
There is currently a lot of pressure to change for the different actors.
That means there is a momentum to start working transdisciplinary.
Jour Fixe

Recap

Do the actors from the field feeluncomfortable with the current situation? Researchers alone are not able to solve a "wicked problem": they need societal actors. But for them to see a need and be willing to solve a problem transdisciplinary, the following preconditions must be met: There are enough civil society actors, such as NGOs,who are focussing on change. There is a normative orientation in society, which is reflected in the legal framework or political programmes, e.g. the European Green Deal or the Paris Convention. Several actors experience an initial pain: They feel a pressure to act or envisage business opportunities. Identifying the need for atransdisciplinary project Deciding on a methodical approach
Deciding on a methodical approach

Addressing the problem with an appropriate methodological approach:
How to design a transdisciplinary research project?

Jour Fixe
Now that we can assume that key societal actors fell pressure to change, let us consider how we can proceed.
We have to think about how to finance such a project. But first, let's think about how to proceed methodologically.
I see the biggest challenge in the different interests and the tendency to blame each other.
Exactly! How can we create joint opportunities for the actors?
And how can we look at the this complex problem outside established routines?
I think the challenge is that the current structures in the supply chains have to change.
Where do we have to start in order to establish a change process? Which research concept and methodological framework should we choose?
We need to understand systemically why actors in the supply chain produce and consume the way they do.
But our research group has not worked with this kind questions so far.
Yes, that is unfortunately true. However, recently I came across the Transment Approach: it could be very suitable for our challenges.
Researchers at the Innovation- and Transformation- Plattform for Sustainable Development introduced this approach.
They are based at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Maybe you can contact them?
For more information on different starting points for change, click on the arrow.

Assumption on how to bring about change

Transformation-orientated transdisciplinary research aims to support societal change processes toward Sustainable Development. However, there are differences in detail: When thinking from the end, i.e. oriented towards transformation success, the question arises as to which actors can bring this about. This influence the methodological concept of the respective project. From such a perspective, ideas for change can aim at

  1. that actors switch to existing sustainability-oriented options for action. For private actors, this can be consumption decisions with a smaller ecological footprint or the switch from car to bike. In organisations, this can be e.g. the procurement of paper with an eco-label, the abandonment of disposable packaging for personal care products in hotels or the introduction of a job ticket,
  2. that civil society actors jointly establish and implement structures for new everyday practices in their local communities; e.g. in the form of solidarity based agriculture, through repair cafés and food-saving, or by linking cooperative housing projects with sharing services (including cooperation with administration and and the political sphere or individual companies in the region).
  3. that actors from companies, associations, politics, administration create previously inaccessible alternatives for action, so that new everyday practices can emerge. For example, an industry (e.g. textiles) can convert its production in favour of a resource-conserving, low-emission and climate-neutral circular economy, or municipalities and cities can create infrastructures for climate-neutral mobility and energy systems.

Depending on which of these aims is addressed, the appropriate methodological framework for the transdisciplinary project is to be chosen. This typification is not to be understood in the sense that only one of the ideas of change is relevant. Rather, it is usually the case that in the real world different forms of change - often in interaction - can be significant. In a project, however, the actors from science usually decide on a specific starting point.

Kim looks up the approach mentioned by Lia.

She realizes that she knows the researcher enlisted as a contact – Ian – and calls him.

Hi Ian, I just came across your approach to transdisciplinary research. I am trying to start a research project with the aim to develop more sustainable solutions for chemicals in everyday products together with different actors from the field.
I am not sure whether your approach is suitable for our problem. Maybe you can tell me more about it?
Hi Kim, so nice to hear from you. We have developed the Transment Approach to address such social-ecological problems that arise from unsustainable everyday practices.
Transfer
Transdisciplinarity
Transformation
Experiment
We take up sustainability challenges that have been discussed publicly and for which the legal framework already provides a general normative orientation.
Addressing these challenges requires changes in production and consumption patterns; also new business models and different infrastructural links are usually involved.
We need innovations that change everyday practices in the status quo.
For this transformation, it is important to develop new solutions together with those actors having the ability to change the systems…
... and to understand which factors influence everyday practices at the behavioural level, e.g. capabilities, opportunities and motivation in interaction with the real-world context.
It sounds really complicated, but I think it could be a pretty good fit for us.
For more information on social-ecological problems and everyday practices, click on the arrow.

Socio-ecological Problems

Social-ecological research assumes that the current relationships between nature and society are disturbed: Socio-ecological problems arise from the interrelationships that exist between

  • the global modes of consumption and production, i.e. how we eat, live, are mobile, clothe ourselves, and
  • the associated impacts on ecosystem services, e.g. through the input of pollutants and the overexploitation of natural resources.

Understanding a social-ecological problem is about understanding the influence of these interactions.

Everyday practices

This scrollytelling uses the term "everyday practices" to describe observable, socially widespread practices, i.e. how we live, travel, eat, etc. It is assumed that these "real" actions depend on many interwoven factors (e.g. skills, opportunities, motivation).

Recap

How to design a transdisciplinary research project? Depending on the characteristics of the specificwicked problem at hand, different transdisciplinaryresearch approaches are suitable. The Transment approach is suitable for social-ecological problems whose causes lie in the current production and consumption patterns (e.g., products of all kinds, but also services like energy supply, mobility or housing). The Transment Approach is able to - identify systemic starting points for change at the behavioural level (e.g. capabilities, opportunities and motivation.), and - develop solutions with the system-relevant actors that they can and want to implement. - address changes by designing and initiating system innovation. Deciding on a methodical approach Getting to know the Transment Approach
Getting to know the Transment Approach
The challenge is on the one hand to integrate different interests and goals, but on the other hand also to overcome the persisting forces of the status quo.
The Transment Approach responds to this by assisting the actors step by step from problem definition to solution development.
To do this, the scientists slip into three different roles:
They analyse the causes of the problem constellation in the interdisciplinary team... ...and act as expert in the transdisciplinary team... ... and navigate the transdisciplinary teamdynamics. Three roles
Can you tell me more about the roles?
Understanding the problem in a broader context
Understanding the problem in a broader context

Building systemic expertise:
How can the interdisciplinary team understand the problem in a systemic context?

A prerequisite for a successful transdisciplinary project is a functioning interdisciplinary team.
The question is how a group can manage to integrate different perspectives in such a way that common ground is created.
How can we do that?
A heuristic that provides a systematic structure for cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge integration can help.
The Transment Approach uses the "Delta-Analysis" for this purpose.
For more information on interdisciplinary team dynamics, click on the arrow.

Interdisciplinary team dynamics

Different disciplinary thought styles (“Denkstil” nach Ludwik Fleck) make a joint process burdensome and can limit the interdisciplinary group's ability to work. Yet the heterogeneous knowledge and skills are indispensable in an interdisciplinary team.

For a creative and solution-oriented process, three factors must converge:

  • content-related processes, in which shared mental models as well as a common language emerge (cognitive factor).
  • group dynamics and other interpersonal processes that enable knowledge exchange (social-interactional factors), and
  • intrapersonal processes (emotional and motivational), which give the individual team members, among other things, security, courage, curiosity, joy and strength to engage in collaboration outside their comfort zone in uncertain terrain (psychological factor).

In order for a positive dynamic to emerge from these factors, leadership plays an essential role in such projects, but also systematically structured processes, e.g., through agreed heuristics that support the joint processes.

Click on „play“ to learn about the Delta analysis.

So it's about understanding why those acting in the status quo do so? Is that right?
Yes, that's exactly right.
In the end, it is about understanding what factors influence behaviour: This is about capabilities, opportunities and the motivational level in interaction with the real-world context.
But where does the information come from? You can't acquire the knowledge alone in an interdisciplinary team.
Great question. That is of course correct.

We hold bilateral talks with actors from the field, analyse statements from the media and events, and in Darmstadt we can also draw on our citizens' panel.
Great! I think that fits our problem at hand very well.
For more information on the “Delta-Analysis”, click on the arrow.
For more information on the citizens’ panel, click on the arrow.

Delta-Analysis

The heuristics of the delta analysis consist of four steps. First, the interdisciplinary team characterises the "socio-ecological problem" and describes WHAT functions of the social system contribute to this problem. This results in the initial question of the project. The second step then leads into the future: it describes - as far as relevant for the initial question - HOW the actors would have to act ("target state") so that the problem is solved.

Stumbling block: Experience has shown that there is a stumbling block at this point; there is often an uneasiness to formulate the target state before taking a closer look at the actual state. This may seem counterintuitive at first glance, but it is helpful in that such a look into the future helps the team to get out of status quo thinking and focus on the societal problem.

Step three then captures in more detail HOW the actors' "everyday practices" play out in the "as-is" state and WHY they act the way they do. Finally, in step four, a comparison between the "to-be" and the "as-is" state (DELTA) shows who the key actors are and where the starting points for change lie. This shows which contributions the actors must make in which time sequence in order to close the delta, and which preconditions must be fulfilled in each case.

Darmstadt Citizen Panel

The Transment Approach is generally focussed on actors from companies, associations, municipalities, administration and NGOs.

However, in order to understand the respective problems and develop practical solutions, it is important to know the problem perceptions and factors influencing the status quo behaviour of citizens as well as their attitudes and needs regarding possible solution options.

The Innovation and Transformation Platform for Sustainable Development at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has set up a citizen panel for this purpose.

The aim is to use a sample that is as representative as possible for the region to obtain meaningful results that can be incorporated into problem framing and solution development in specific projects.

This is how the Darmstadt Citizen Panel works:
Almost 2000 citizens from Darmstadt and the surrounding area are currently participating in the citizen panel. Registration is possible at any time. This creates a solid base ("panel") for the surveys. The citizen panel regularly invites its participants to the surveys - either online or via paper & pencil. Thus, it successfully contributes to interdisciplinary analysis and transdisciplinary development of solutions.

Recap

How can the interdisciplinary team understand the problem in a broader context? A heuristic helps by providing a systematic structure for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge integration.In this context, the Transment Approach makes use of the Delta-Analysis. It takes the perspective of the actors and explores the factors that influence their behaviour in interaction with the real-world context. From this perspective, the Delta-Analysis helps to identify the key players and starting points for change. It is the basis for developing context-specific and tailor-made solutions with the actors. Understanding the problem in a broader context Working on solutions in a transdisciplinary team
Working on solutions in a transdisciplinary team

Working together in a transdiciplinary team:
What framework helps?

What about the second role? What is your advice for working in a transdisciplinary team?
The basic framework we use is applied in most transdisciplinary research groups.
The Transment Approach structures the process along three phases: A, B and C.
Phase A is about framing the problem to be addressed and translating it into a research question.
For this, we divide Phase A into three stages.
In Phase B, we seek an answer to the transdisciplinary research question.
Phase B consists of two stages.
From the transformative perspective, Phase C is about implementing the solution found for the problem in the "real world."
But note: implementing solutions in the real world is not our job as researchers.
C Implement solutions Roll Out B2 Test solutions B1 Develop solutions Transdisciplinary research question A2 Elaborate a specific idea for change A1 Develop a joint problem understanding and vision A0 Initiating encounters between relevant actors
For more information on the Transment process, click on the arrow.

The Transment process in transdisciplinary mode

In the transdisciplinary (td) mode, we work as a team member with actors from the field to develop innovative, preferably systemic solutions based on a problem impulse. The transdisciplinary team draws on both the expertise and specific knowledge as well as experience of actors from the field (including "tacit knowledge") and the expertise of actors from academia.

The process in stages A and B is designed in such a way that the actors develop a systemic understanding of the affected societal system (system understanding), concretize a shared view of the need for change (normative orientation), and identify the essential factors that need to be shaped in a target-oriented manner for the change process (transformation knowledge). The goal is to gain and weave knowledge in such a way that workable solutions emerge (transformative mode).

This process is iterative in nature.

As a result, we have done a good job if the system-relevant actors in stage C take ownership of the problem and the solution.

Recap

What framework helps? To set up a transdisciplinary process the Transment Approach provides a framework with three phases: Concretise the problem to be addressed and translate it into a transdisciplinary research question. Find answers to the research question. Roll out the developed solutions in the "real world". Working on solutions in a transdisciplinary team Navigating a transdisciplinary process
That's a lot. My head is smoking. In any case, many thanks.
Wait, wait, wait... I'm sorry Kim, but we have to go one step further: Nothing works without the third role
Navigating a transdisciplinary process

Bringing together different perspectives:
How does a joint solution development process come about?

Okay, let’s give it a try: What is it about the third role?
It is the most difficult role for us scientists.
The biggest challenge is to initiate a joint solution development process that integrates the many different perspectives and interests.
The task is to bring together the different mental models of the actors in relation to the problem situation.
It is not easy for us humans to leave established routines.
Let's start from scratch: I'll explain it to you step by step.
For more information about “mental models”, click on the arrow.

Mental models

Mental models refer to how people understand the world, including its interrelationships and dynamics: From this view of the world, they derive their assumptions and make decisions. The respective view of the world is shaped by the environment and context in which people move privately and professionally.

Therefore, actors from administration, companies, associations and (civil) society, as well as scientific experts, concentrate on a certain section of the problem, which is characterised by a specific, mostly professionally shaped perception grid. Their gaze is directed towards what they see as the crucial part of the "wicked problem": With their mental models, they only perceive certain sections of the problem situation and can also only imagine possible solutions along the "own logic" of the field of action that is familiar to them (professionally shaped "thought patterns").

Transdisciplinary processes must therefore be designed in such a way that all actors involved change their perspective and perceive the problem situation in a more systemic context (shared mental models).

When you start, you have many different explanations on the causes of the problem ...
... and actors will only fully engage with your project if you offer them a journey from which they expect benefits.
However, undiscovered opportunities can only be identified when actors gain a systemic view of the problem.
For this, you need your actors to have a common view of the problem, i.e., to establish a shared mental model.
Our experience is that "round tables" and similar formats do not create a common understanding of the problem.
You need to use dialogue methods that allow actors to look at the problem from a wider perspective and go beyond their usual ways of thinking.
In our research group, some dialogue methods have proven to be successful over the years.
When there are still many different perspectives but a change is in the air, "salon talks" help to develop a boundary object.
The scenario technique has proven to be a very powerful format to develop a joint problem understanding and vision outside established routines.
Backcasting the future with the theory of change helps to develop a common strategy and concrete measures that can initiate a change process.
By combining these three methods, it is possible to initiate a joint problem-framing process: This is important so that those involved later identify with the solutions developed and also implement them.

Click on a dialogue method to learn more about it.

salon talks Initiating "change ideas" with salon talks scenario technique Develop a joint problem understanding and vision with the scenario technique theory of change Using theory of change to develop concrete measures for change. Different Mental Models Joint mental model New fields of opportunity
Very impressive!
Now I am curious: What happens in phase B?
Good question. We are still working on that in our research group. We have first experiences, but they are not evaluated yet.
So let's talk about this next time.
But one last thing: There are two essential success factors for phases A and B.
In order to create new fields of opportunity for the actors, you really have to analyse the individual willingness to engage in cooperation and the readiness to change.

Recap

How does a joint solution development process come about? Shared mental models help to understand the problem together. All actors need to identify individual opportunities for themselves in order to be ready to develop and implement solutions together. A clever choreography of dialogue formats can help to support this process. Navigating a transdisciplinary process Combining the three roles
Combining the three roles
Ian, thank you very much.

I am overwhelmed, but also confident that I will benefit immensely from your experiences.
One more question: Can you briefly explain how the three roles interact in practice?
Sure. The interplay of the three roles in the Transment Approach is essential.
The Delta-Analysis helps you to understand the system in a way that you know who the key actors are and what their motivation is to actively participate in a change process.
On this basis, you can strategically plan how to win key actors and how to design the transdisciplinary process.
With this knowledge, you can work as an expert with the experts from the field on joint problem solving in phase A and B.
The knowledge that results from the cooperation with the actors on the field is reflected back into the Delta-Analysis and subsequently evaluated.
The constantly updated findings from the Delta-Analysis again flow into the transdisciplinary process and enable continuous improvement of the solutions.
At the same time, it is important to monitor the team processes.
Findings from the monitoring help to better navigate the transdisciplinary processes.
Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinary Navigate