There’s a fourth: deny

Nice article, interesting to keep an open mind. On "No. 0002. Preserving problems", it can happen to people too, no need for a complex system at the size of a company. I have often noticed recognized experts keeping the root of the problem unsolved because it was justifying their position. I may even have been subject of this curse. As an expert, you may know the root cause but have no incentive to solve it and it can be harder to mobilize ressources to solve the root cause than to keep solving the superficial issue. It is management or outside help role to identify and push for solving problems at their root, but it takes time and dedication because of expertise. As most of the time, incentives explain nearly everything.

> … they inadvertently perpetuate the problem

“Inadvertently”? Seldom.

Seems related to the four risk management strategies:

- Avoidance

- Mitigation

- Transference

- Acceptance

Three more common ways of responding to a problem:

Weaponize it.

Study it.

Blog about it.