What is Multisolving? And How to Do It?

In our increasingly interconnected world, the challenges we face are multifaceted and deeply intertwined. Climate change, health disparities, biodiversity loss, and poverty are not isolated issues but part of a complex web of interdependencies. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that recognizes and leverages their interconnections. This is where the concept of multisolving comes into play.

Understanding Multisolving

Multisolving is the practice of designing solutions that simultaneously address multiple issues, creating cascading benefits across systems and sectors. Unlike traditional approaches that often focus on single issues in isolation, multisolving acknowledges the interconnected nature of our global challenges. It seeks to implement solutions that generate positive outcomes across various domains, from environmental sustainability to social equity and economic resilience.

At RegenIntel, we see multisolving as essential for tackling the polycrisis we face today. By identifying and leveraging the interdependencies between different challenges, we can create systems of solutions that not only address immediate problems but also foster long-term, regenerative outcomes.

Problem-Fixing vs. Multisolving

One of the critical distinctions between traditional problem-fixing and multisolving lies in how we approach the issues. Problem-fixing often involves tinkering with the system to alleviate specific diagnosed symptoms, rather than underlying causes. This approach may provide short-term relief but rarely leads to long-lasting, maximized gains for the future. In contrast, multisolving requires forward-thinking and addresses issues and their underlying causes as challenges or puzzles that need solving, not just problems that need fixing.

This perspective shift encourages us to envision what we want the system to do and be. By understanding the values and goals of the system, we can design a "system of solutions" that multisolve for the whole puzzle, creating more comprehensive and lasting impacts. This requires us to practice forward-thinking and holistic design, considering the entire system and its future potential.

The Concept of Cascading Benefits

Central to multisolving is the idea of cascading benefits. While co-benefits refer to additional, often adjacent positive outcomes, cascading benefits go further by creating virtuous feedback cycles that amplify positive impacts across systems. As outlined in our 2020 paper on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a solution that reduces greenhouse gas emissions might also improve public health, boost local economies, and enhance biodiversity. These interconnected benefits reinforce each other, leading to more systemic and enduring positive changes.

Conversely, failing to adopt a multisolving approach can result in cascading risks and negative externalities. Business-as-usual practices often create unintended consequences that exacerbate other problems, such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability. Understanding and mapping these trade-offs are critical components of effective multisolving.

The RegenIntel Approach to Multisolving

At RegenIntel, we integrate multisolving into our core methodology to address climate, sustainability, and regeneration. Our approach involves implementing systems of solutions that tackle the polycrisis while embedding regenerative principles throughout the process and in the outcomes. This helps achieve our climate targets and sustainability goals, while moving us towards a regenerative economy and society that benefits all life. Our vision is a future where there are no winners and losers, only winners-for-all.

Here are five steps to successful multisolving, grounded in systems thinking:

1. Identify Challenges and Solutions Through Systems Thinking: Begin by recognizing the interconnected nature of the challenges at hand. Use systems thinking to map out the relationships and interdependencies between various issues. This holistic perspective is crucial for identifying solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously.
2. Map Contexts and Relationships: Understand the specific contexts and relationships within the systems you are working in. Mapping these connections helps identify leverage points where interventions can have the most significant impact.
3. Engage in Local Knowledge and Science: Collaborate with local communities, scientists, and stakeholders to co-create solutions. Local knowledge provides invaluable insights into the unique dynamics of each context, while scientific research offers evidence-based guidance. This participatory approach ensures that solutions are relevant, effective, and widely supported.
4. Center on Levers of Change and Leverage Points: Focus on identifying and activating key levers of change within the system. Leverage points are strategic areas where small interventions can lead to significant, widespread impacts. By targeting these points, we can maximize the effectiveness of our solutions and create cascading benefits.
5. Work Out of Siloes in Partnership and Groups: Effective multisolving requires breaking down siloes and fostering collaboration across sectors and disciplines. Form partnerships and coalitions that bring together diverse perspectives and expertise. This collaborative approach enhances the creativity and resilience of the solutions developed.

The Role of Forward-Thinking in Multisolving

Forward-thinking is a cornerstone of multisolving. It involves envisioning the desired state of the system and designing solutions that align with that vision. This approach requires us to move beyond reactive problem-fixing and instead focus on proactive system design. By asking ourselves what we want the system to achieve and embody, we can create solutions that are not only effective but also transformative.

At RegenIntel, we emphasize the importance of visioning and goal-setting in our multisolving efforts. This involves engaging stakeholders in a process of imagining the future they want to create and then working collaboratively to design solutions that move us towards that future. This participatory process helps ensure that solutions are aligned with the values and goals of the communities they serve.

Addressing the Barriers to Multisolving

One of the biggest barriers to multisolving is that most people do not naturally think or operate in systems, at least not consciously. Overcoming this barrier requires "meeting people where they are but not leaving them there". This means engaging stakeholders in participatory processes that builds their capacity to think and act systemically.

At RegenIntel, we emphasize the importance of ongoing development and participatory engagement. Whether working with businesses, policymakers, investors, or communities, we focus on developing a shared understanding of the interconnected nature of the challenges we face. This collaborative process takes time and effort but is essential for creating effective and sustainable solutions.

Implementing Multisolving in Practice

Implementing multisolving in practice involves several key steps:

1. Educate and Build Awareness: Educate stakeholders about the interconnected nature of global challenges and the importance of multisolving. Use workshops, seminars, and training sessions to build awareness and understanding.
2. Facilitate Collaborative Visioning: Engage stakeholders in a collaborative visioning process to imagine the desired future state of the system. Use tools like scenario planning and visioning exercises to facilitate this process.
3. Develop Integrated Solutions: Use systems thinking to develop integrated solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously. Ensure that these solutions are designed to create cascading benefits across systems.
4. Pilot and Scale Solutions: Pilot integrated solutions in specific contexts to test their effectiveness. Use the lessons learned from these pilots to refine and scale the solutions to broader contexts.
5. Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor and evaluate the impacts of the solutions. Use feedback loops to adapt and improve the solutions over time.

Conclusion

Multisolving offers a powerful framework for addressing the complex, interconnected challenges of our time. By recognizing and leveraging the interdependencies between different issues, we can create systems of solutions that generate cascading benefits across sectors and systems. At RegenIntel, we are committed to implementing multisolving strategies that help achieve our climate targets and sustainability goals, while moving us towards a regenerative economy and society that benefits all life. Together, we can build a future where everyone thrives.

In conclusion, multisolving is not just about fixing problems but about designing systems that reflect our highest values and aspirations. It requires forward-thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the interconnected nature of our challenges. By embracing multisolving, we can create a world where all life flourishes, and no one is left behind.

Dive deeper with us into this journey towards not just sustaining, but regenerating our world. Because at RegenIntel, we're not just dreaming of a better future; we're making it happen, one innovative solution at a time. ??

Learn more at https://www.regenintel.earth/education

Chad Frischmann

CEO & Founder, RegenIntel