heliseløsning

Heliseløsning is a term used primarily in Norwegian-language discourse to denote a comprehensive, holistic solution to a complex problem. It emphasizes integrating multiple dimensions—technical, organizational, social, environmental—to produce an outcome that remains effective over time rather than addressing a single symptom.

The word is formed from helhet, meaning "wholeness," and løsning, meaning "solution." In formal policy, business, and academia, more common phrasing is helhetlig løsning or helhetlig tilnærming, but heliseløsning appears as a specialized or marketing-oriented term in consultancy and project proposals.

Core characteristics include a systemic view that maps interdependencies among subsystems, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and early and ongoing stakeholder involvement. A heliseløsning aims for long-term sustainability by considering social, economic, and environmental impact, and it is typically evaluated with a multi-criteria set of indicators rather than a single metric. Iterative design and pilot testing are common to refine the solution.

Applications span fields such as business strategy, information technology, urban planning, healthcare, and education. For example, a municipal program might seek a heliseløsning that links affordable housing, transit access, and preventive health services to improve overall community well-being rather than solving housing alone.

Criticism notes that the term can become vague jargon if not backed by concrete goals and measurable targets. Critics also point out that pursuing holistic outcomes may slow decision-making and require substantial coordination and resources.

See also holistic approach, systems thinking, integrated solution.