How can the public sector resolve complex issues?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to ask how the public sector manages complex issues, and suggests that new strategic thinking is needed about ways forward. Design/methodology/approach The paper outlines recent conceptual and empirical research demonstrating the challenges for government posed by complex problems, and the difficulties of addressing them successfully. Findings The paper suggests that most governmental systems are preoccupied with a host of issues which impede the consideration of long‐term goals and methods. Research limitations/implications More research is needed on the capacities of governments to identify and respond to complex problems while maintaining performance in other areas. Practical implications Implications arise for leadership, building policy capacity, building coordination capacity, and better use of partnering to improve implementation capacity. Originality/value The paper encourages new thinking about the capacities required for strategic direction setting and coordination to tackle complex problems.