HUMMBL-Unified-Tier-Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

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Getting Started

Q: Where should I start?

A: Begin with the Getting Started Guide. Complete your first wickedness assessment in 5 minutes, then explore based on your role:

Q: Which Base-N level should I use?

A: Start with Base6 if you’re new to mental models. Progress to higher levels as you master each stage. See Base-N Architecture for detailed guidance.

Q: How long does it take to master the framework?

A:

Progress depends on practice intensity and problem complexity tackled.

Assessment & Classification

Q: What if my score falls on a tier boundary?

A: This is common! Consider both adjacent tiers’ approaches. Start with the lower tier and escalate if needed. Reassess as you learn more.

Q: Can different people score the same problem differently?

A: Yes! This is normal and valuable. Different stakeholders have different perspectives. Average multiple assessments or discuss differences to build shared understanding.

Q: How often should I reassess problems?

A: Reassess when:

Typically every 1-3 months for ongoing initiatives.

Q: Are the 5 questions enough?

A: For most problems, yes. The framework balances comprehensiveness with usability. Researchers may develop domain-specific extensions. See Researchers Guide.

Application

Q: Can I use this for personal decisions?

A: Absolutely! The framework scales from personal choices (career, relationships) to global challenges (climate, poverty). Start with Base6.

Q: Does this work for technical problems?

A: Yes. While the framework originated in problem-solving methodology, it applies to technical domains. Many “technical” problems have social/organizational complexity.

Q: What if I’m already using other frameworks?

A: The HUMMBL Framework complements existing methods. Use it to:

Q: Can teams use this together?

A: Yes! Team assessment builds shared understanding. Have each member score independently, then discuss differences. Creates valuable dialogue about problem nature.

Learning & Progression

Q: Can I skip directly to BASE120?

A: Not recommended. You’ll experience cognitive overload and surface-level understanding. Master Base6 deeply, then progress systematically. Quality over quantity.

Q: How do I know when I’m ready for the next Base-N level?

A: You’re ready when you:

Q: Is there a certification program?

A: Not currently. Focus on practical application and outcomes. Consider publishing case studies or contributing to validation research.

Commercial & Academic Use

Q: Can I use this in my business?

A: Personal/educational use is free. Commercial use (consulting, training, software) requires a license. Contact HUMMBL, LLC via GitHub or GitLab.

Q: Can I cite this in academic work?

A: Yes! Please use proper citation:

Bowlby, R. (2025). HUMMBL Unified Tier Framework v1.0: Integrating Problem 
Complexity, Learning Progression, and Base-N Architecture. HUMMBL, LLC.

See Attribution for complete details.

Q: Can I contribute to the framework?

A: Yes! See Contributing Guidelines. Contributions can include:

Technical Questions

Q: What’s the difference between complicated and complex?

A:

Q: What makes a problem “wicked”?

A: Rittel & Webber’s 10 characteristics:

  1. No definitive formulation
  2. No stopping rule
  3. Solutions better/worse, not true/false
  4. No immediate test
  5. One-shot operations
  6. No enumerable solutions
  7. Every problem unique
  8. Can be symptom of another
  9. Multiple explanations possible
  10. No right to be wrong

Q: What makes a problem “super-wicked”?

A: All wicked characteristics PLUS (Levin et al., 2012):

  1. Time is running out
  2. Causers seek to solve it
  3. Weak/no central authority
  4. Irrational future discounting

Troubleshooting

Q: The framework seems overwhelming. Help?

A: Start small:

  1. Do ONE wickedness assessment
  2. Learn ONE Base6 model
  3. Apply to ONE problem
  4. Repeat

Don’t try to master everything at once.

Q: I scored my problem but don’t know what to do next.

A: See tier-specific guidance:

Q: My problem keeps changing tiers.

A: This is normal! Problems evolve as you learn. Document tier shifts - they reveal important insights about the problem’s true nature.

Community & Support

Q: Where can I discuss the framework?

A: GitHub Discussions

Q: How do I report issues or suggest improvements?

A: GitHub Issues

Q: Are there training resources?

A: Current resources:

More Questions?

Ask in: GitHub Discussions
Report issues: GitHub Issues
Commercial inquiries: Contact via GitLab

See Also

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