Adaptive vs Technical Solutions, some thoughts.

An adaptive solution is one that requires changes in the behavior, values, or norms of the people

involved in the problem, and that cannot be solved by applying existing knowledge or expertise.

A technical solution is one that can be solved by applying existing knowledge or expertise, and that does not require significant changes in the behavior, values, or norms of the people involved in the problem

Adaptive and technical solutions differ in several aspects, such as the nature of the problem, the role of the problem-solver, the process of finding and implementing the solution, and the expected outcomes and impacts. The table below summarizes some of these differences:

Aspect	Adaptive Solution	Technical Solution
Nature of the problem	Complex, uncertain, dynamic, and context-dependent	Simple, clear, stable, and universal
Role of the problem-solver	Facilitator, leader, coach, and learner	Expert, consultant, technician, and teacher
Process of finding and implementing the solution	Iterative, collaborative, experimental, and adaptive	Linear, individual, analytical, and prescriptive
Expected outcomes and impacts	Long-term, systemic, sustainable, and transformative	Short-term, specific, measurable, and incremental

Adaptive and technical solutions also have some similarities, such as the need for clear goals, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and ethical considerations. Both approaches can also benefit from the use of appropriate tools and methods, such as data analysis, design thinking, scenario planning, and feedback loops. Moreover, both approaches can complement each other in some situations, where a combination of technical and adaptive solutions can produce better results than either one alone.