Problem Tree

Understanding the Root Cause of a Challenge.

Hanna Lentz-Harry

Problem trees help diagnose the underlying causes of key issues that the team would like to tackle.  By starting with a central issue and then mapping out the reasons why it is happening (roots) and the problems that occur as a result (branches), a team can develop a deep, shared understanding of issues. Problem Trees are also great for helping teams uncover assumptions, opportunities for information gathering, and making decisions about the most effective strategies and interventions.

Example 1 - Policy/Conservation

problem tree courtesy of NRDC planning toolkit

Example 2 - Companion Animal Welfare

problem tree courtesy of Managing Dogs in First Nations guidE

How to Use

  1. Identify the core problem your team will explore. Then ask - "What is the cause of this problem?" First, capture the immediate causes and connect them to the core problem. Then continue to ask "why" for each, and work backwards from the stated issue to brainstorm all of the reasons that a problem exists. This creates the ”roots" of the tree.

  2. Next, explore the effects of the core problem by asking - "What happens as a result of this problem?" First, capture immediate results and connect them to the core problem. Then continue to build secondary and tertiary effects that create the "branches" of the tree.

  3. As your team works on these connections you will start linking causal factors. Capture your ideas in a way that allows you to move them around. For example, if you are in–person sticky notes are a good tool. If you are online you may want to try a platform like Miro or Mural.

  4. Keep working and discussing roots and branches until your team feels as though the realities of the root causes and results are captured.

  5. Discuss the results with your team and use the resulting diagram to explore some deeper questions such as:

    1. Given the root causes, where will our work be most impactful?

    2. Are there areas where we are making assumptions or don’t know for sure what the cause and effect is? Is this an opportunity for us to collect information?

    3. What are the implications of this tree for the work we decide to do?