How to Develop a Problem Tree

8/3/2019 How to Develop a Problem Tree

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Developing Problem Tree &

Solution Tree


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What is a Problem Tree?

A problem tree provides an overview ofall the

known causes and effects to an identifiedproblem.


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Why do a Problem Tree

There are often more than one cause to a

problem, and you may not be able to

overcome them all, so it is important to know

if this will impact your project.

A problem tree identifies the context in which

an intervention is to occur, and starts to reveal

the complexity of life.


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The Process

A problem tree is best completed with the

project proponent and other stakeholders

present.

You may need anything from a couple of

hours, to halfa day or more depending on the

complexity ofyour problem and the diversity

of stakeholders present.


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Steps to undertaking a problem tree

1. Settle on the core problem

2. Identify the causes and effects

3. Develop a solution tree

4. Select the preferred intervention


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What does a Problem Tree look like?


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The Core Problem

A project should have aspecific problem (eg.

saving water inside the home) that it seeks to

overcome if change is to occur.

A vague or broad problem (eg. saving water)

will have too many causes for an effective and

meaningful project to be developed.


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Identifying the causes and effects

OUTPUTS

Financial incentives

provided to

households

The core problem is placed at the centre of

the tree.

You then need to consider the direct causes to

the problem. These are placed below the core

problem. Each cause statement needs to be

written in negative terms.

The direct effects of the problem are placed

above the core problem.


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Identifying the causes and effects

OUTPUTS


provided to

households

You then need to consider the causes to the

immediate causes- these are called secondary

causes, and so on. You can do the same for

the effects.

You will likely need to move causes around, as

you decide whether theyare a primary,

secondary or other cause.


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Lets look at an example


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People do

not know

what a

problem treeis.

There are not

enough

problem trees

conducted.

People do

not know

how to do a

problem

tree.

There are

no easily

accessible

resources.

Resources

are too

hard to

understand.

Project

designs do

not

consider the

full context.

An example of a core

problem

Lets look at some

causes

And now the effects


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An example ofa completed problem

tree


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Develop a solution tree

OUTPUTS


provided to

households

A solution (also called objectives) tree isdeveloped by reversing the negativestatements that form the problem tree into

positive ones.

For example, a cause (problem tree) suchas

lack of knowledge would become a meanssuchas increased knowledge. The objectivestree demonstrates the means-end relationshipbetween objectives.


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An example ofa completed solution

tree


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Select the preferred intervention

This step is designed to allow the project teamto select and focus an intervention on apreferred strategy.

The solution tree may present a number ofseparate or linked interventions to solve a

problem. Depending on project funding, time,and relevance, a planned intervention maynot be able to tackle all the causes.


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An example of selecting a preferred

intervention


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Select the preferred intervention

Ifall the causes cannot be overcome byaproject, or complementary projects, it isimportant to identify ifany of the branches

are more influential than others in solving aproblem. This may impact on the success ofyour project.

You can also consider the impact of otherbranches in your monitoring and evaluation.


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Using the solution tree to inform your

project design

Core

Cause Cause

Cause

Cause Cause

Cause

Effects Effects

Effects Effects

The core can become

your project goal or

immediate outcomeThe causes/solutions

become your activities

and objectives

The effects become your

intermediate and long

term outcomes


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Next Step

Now that you have a problem/solution tree,

you can go on to develop aLogFrame matrix,

or aProgram Logic.

How to Develop a Problem Tree

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