The impact of problematic situations on intervention process: patterns to design multi-methodologies for complex and complicated problem situations

The design of multi-methodologies has often overlooked the influence of the type of the problem situation, resulting in approaches that prioritise techniques over contextual relevance. This study addresses this gap by identifying patterns that align multi-methodologies with the nature of problem situations. Drawing on 107 empirical articles in which multi-methodologies were devised, we conducted a systematic review to determine the problem type in each case and to analyse the corresponding intervention process. A theoretical framework was developed to explicate the intervention process. The methodologies and techniques reported in each study were then mapped onto this framework. Using deductive–inductive content analysis, we derived patterns linking problem situation type to distinctive intervention processes. Findings indicate that complicated problem situations favour structured methodology combinations emphasising analysis and assessment, while complex situations require flexible, interaction-based approaches prioritising appreciation and stakeholder engagement. These findings yield empirically grounded patterns linking problem characteristics with intervention process design. These patterns offer a practical basis for constructing multi-methodologies tailored to distinct real-world problem types.