Distributed Problem-Solving Networks: An Introduction and Overview

Abstract

With a wealth of real-world examples of distributed problem-solving spanning business and other areas of endeavor, McKinsey & Company and the Oxford Internet Institute embarked on a six-month joint research program to study this phenomenon in detail. This project explored the parameters of distributed problem-solving networks, identified key factors in their performance, and examined specific case studies in a wide range of fields. The detailed research in the published papers captures in-depth findings from studying many different cases of distributed problem-solving. Looking across this research, this paper synthesizes observations on: 1. the broad applicability of distributed problem-solving, 2. how value can be captured in distributed problem-solving networks, and 3. conditions of success for distributed problem-solving networks.