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Problem Tree / Objective Tree Problem Tree / Objective Tree

This document describes the process of using a problem tree and objective tree to analyze problems faced by an organization and set objectives. The process involves: 1. Brainstorming priority problems on sticky notes and organizing them into categories with a cause-effect structure on a board. 2. Converting the negative problem statements into positive objectives by reformulating each statement. 3. Arranging the objectives into a logical means-ends structure with the long term goal at the top and preconditions at the bottom. The theory of change connects achieving the objectives to ultimately solving the problems, following an "if-then" structure of if certain conditions are met, then the desired change will occur.

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Satish Chandra Tiyu
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102 views

Problem Tree / Objective Tree Problem Tree / Objective Tree

This document describes the process of using a problem tree and objective tree to analyze problems faced by an organization and set objectives. The process involves: 1. Brainstorming priority problems on sticky notes and organizing them into categories with a cause-effect structure on a board. 2. Converting the negative problem statements into positive objectives by reformulating each statement. 3. Arranging the objectives into a logical means-ends structure with the long term goal at the top and preconditions at the bottom. The theory of change connects achieving the objectives to ultimately solving the problems, following an "if-then" structure of if certain conditions are met, then the desired change will occur.

Uploaded by

Satish Chandra Tiyu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Problem Tree / Objective Tree

Aim
Problem/Objective tree is a method to analyze the problems that an organization or a
community faces and to set up objectives to respond to these problems. It can be used as
the first step to prepare a logical framework.
You can also use this exercise to explain to staff members how to identify/analyze
problems and set up objectives.

Participants
Ten to fifteen representatives of the community/organization facing the problems. They
are together in a large room sitting in front of a large board.

Material
You need a number of pieces of paper, cards or preferably sticky notes (post-its) on which
to write individual problem statements, which can then be stuck on a large board.

A. The Problem Tree


Step 1

Explain to participants that the aim of the first step is to openly brainstorm problems, which they
consider to be a priority in their community/organisation.
1. If some of the participants are illiterate, form several small teams and appoint in each
team a "secretary" able to write for those who cannot.
2. Distribute to participants sticky notes and pencils.
3. Invite participants to discuss and write on sticky notes priority problems affecting their
community/organisation.
4. Then put the sticky notes on the board

Example : the case of traditional fisherman in rural India

Step 3

Explain to participants that now we should sort the notes by category.


1. Ask them to help you put in the same column the notes that have something in
common. You can also delete redundant notes.
2. You should get a result similar to the example below:

Problem/Objective Tree!

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If you cannot put some notes in any category, just leave them aside.
Step 4

Invite participants to help you rank the notes in each column according to a logic cause-effect.

Notes, which appear as causes, should be put below those which appear as effects.

See example below:

The notes, which are not linked by a cause effect relationship, are put at the same
level.

Draw arrows to show the cause-effect relationship.

Step 5

Mettre un titre chaque colonne

Read the notes placed in each column and ask participants to find a title
corresponding to all of them, their common factor. Write the title on a different
colour sticky note and put that note at the top of the column .
See example on the next page. Three titles have been given:
Column 1 - "Sustainability problems" (it is necessary to go further and less fish is
caught)
Column 2 - "Security problems"(no accurate information on weather, many
people die at sea). Note that two notes have been replaced by a new one ("Boats
and crews badly prepared") summarising them.

Problem/Objective Tree!

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Column 3 - "Economic problems" (everything is about price and income). The


three top notes have been deleted because they are well summarised by
"Economic problems".

Step 6

Find a common factor between several columns


Ask participants if they van find a common factor to several columns, guide them in
finding a solution.
See the example below : the common factor between the 3 columns is that due to the
three types of problems, more and more people are leaving the village. The village is
dying...

Problem/Objective Tree!

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B. The Objective Tree


Explain to participants that the problem tree describes the initial negative situation of the
community/organization.
Now, we need to identify the goal situation that we have to achieve if we want to solve
the identified problems. The process is the following:
1. The negative situations described by the problem tree must be converted into positive
situations, which become the objectives.
2. Starting by the bottom of the problem tree, you need to help participants review every
sticky note and write an new one with a positive formulation : "Fishermen don't know
where and when catch fish" becomes "Fishermen know where and when catch fish" ;
"No accurate information on weather" becomes "Accurate information on weather is
available" and so on. Look at the example below.
3. Check with participants the logical order of the objectives : those which are placed
lower on the tree must be means leading to ends placed higher. The cause-effect logic of
the problem tree is replaced by the means-ends logic of the objective tree.

Note: at bottom line of the tree are the means, at the top the ends. The statement at the
summit of the tree ("The quality of life is improving") is the long-term outcome or impact.
Below (in green) are the intermediate outcome and lower are the preconditions.

Problem/Objective Tree!

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C. Theory of change
What is your theory of change?
Theory of Change is a way of thinking about how the outcomes of your activities lead
ultimately to your desired social impact. In the example of the fishermen, it is interesting
to note that all the means are related to information. Developing better information means
in the field of weather forecast, fish location and fish price seems to be the strategy
indicated by the reflection on problems and objectives. The theory of change is a
formulation of the strategy.
For example,

If traditional fishermen can get accurate information on the weather forecast, then their
danger at sea will be reduced.

If traditional fishermen can get accurate information on when and where catch fish, then
their fishing productivity will be increased.

If traditional fisher men can get accurate information on the evolution of fish price, then
they will not be cheated by middlemen and their income will increase.

The basic format of any theory of change can be expressed as:

To make desirable CHANGE happen, Condition1, Condition2, Condition(n) must


be met, or

If Condition1, Condition2, Condition(n) are met, then, the desirable CHANGE will
happen.

So, its always something like IF-CONDITIONS-THEN-CHANGE


More examples of IF-CONDITIONS-THEN-CHANGE:

If low-income, marginalized teenagers have first-hand experience running a business, they


will be more successful in their careers

If poor women in Africa have microbicidal contraceptives they control, AIDS will spread
less

If customers water usage is metered and they have to pay for it, they will use less water

If jobs are created in low-income areas, personal well-being will increase and the quality of
life in those neighborhoods will increase.

If people buy organic yogurt instead of non-organic yogurt that may be full of pesticides,
their health will improve

Notice that in each example the ultimate social impact is expressed as a change, an
increase or a decrease.
Problem tree, objective tree and theory of change can also be applied in the field of
training/learning.

Problem/Objective Tree!

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