Problem Analysis

Dr. Ferdous Arfina Osman

Professor
Department of Public Administration
University of Dhaka
Problem Analysis
• A Problem Analysis investigates a situation/problem in order to
allow the researcher to understand more fully the problem, in order
to recommend practical solutions for solving it.

• Through problem analysis we want to learn how to

look at problems from multiple perspectives to achieve
the best problem definition and possible/ feasible
solutions
 Steps of Problem Analysis
• There are five steps that can be taken to gain a better understanding
of the problem before developing a solution.

Gain agreement on the problem definition

Understand the root-causes – the problem behind the problem

Identify the stakeholders and the users

Define the solution boundary

Identify the constraints to be imposed on the solution
 •Often difficult to define a
problem
•What is a current problem?
Defining a •Why is it a problem?
Problem
•Definition is based on your own
perspective
•Who’s involved?
1. Defining Policy Problem
What is a Problem?

•“A policy problem can be defined as a condition or situation that produces

needs or dissatisfaction among people and for which relief or redress by
governmental action is sought” (Anderson, 2015)

•Conditions do not become problems unless they are defined, articulated

and brought to the attention of government.

•Aaron Wildavsky stated, “A problem is a problem only if something can be

done about it”. (Natural Disaster)
Situation that can be perceived as
important into a
problem
• Situation that can be perceived as important into a
problem
• Indicators reveal its existence, magnitude, severity
• Events or crisis call attention on a problem
• The results of evaluations (or monitoring/surveillance)
Example: Rising health care cost could
be framed as
• Failure of government to regulate the private hospitals,
diagnostic centres or
• Failure of the government to regulate the consultation fees
of private doctors or
• Failure of government to control pharmaceutical pricing or
• Failure of government to make the health service delivery
pro poor or
• All of the above
 Example: High rate of child marriage in rural
Bangladesh could be framed as:
•The failure of parents or individual to understand the
consequences of child marriage, or
•The inability of government to increase awareness among
the rural parents or
•Failure of the government to enforce the existing law
inhibiting child marriage or
•Failure of the government to encourage female education or
• All of the above

•These cases highlight the complexity and urgency of policy

problems that require thoughtful analysis, stakeholder
engagement, and evidence-based decision-making to
achieve meaningful solutions
Policy Problem and Policy Design
Nearly all the aspects of policy design will flow from the
definition of the problem—one can imagine policies that are:

To stop child marriage, various policy measures can be

taken

-Each of these policy measure assumes different causal

theories and therefore will suggest different policy tools.
Problem Definition in Decision Making
Varieties of ways are there to look at a particular problem.

Problem definition depends on:

•How issues are framed, portrayed

•How obvious is the crisis that the problem evokes
•How it is measured
Challenges of Public Policy Problems (Social
problems)
• May show up in ways that are difficult to address

• “Inherently multidimensional”, overlap & contradict

• Are ill defined, so “wicked problems”

• The consensus over social goals may be misleading

• Decision-makers have different preferences and values, often

conflicting

• The definition of a policy problem is not completely scientific or

systematic, it is mere socially constructed
2. Problem Tree Analysis: Identifying
the root causes and their
consequences
 • the causes (roots) of
A problem tree a problem
analyzes:
•the core problem

• and its effects

(branches)
Problem Tree
• Problem trees provide a structured way to analyze complex
issues, identify key factors contributing to the problem, and
understand the potential impacts of various interventions.
• In building problem tree, problems are categorized into three:
• Primary cause
• Secondary
• Tertiary
To prepare a problem tree following are the
preconditions:
• Situation analysis (How has the problem emerged)
• Actor analysis (Values and preferences of actors, contradiction
in values of actors, which values could be compromised and
which values wont)
• Institutional factors (Formal/informal rules regulations)
Steps of developing problem tree
Steps of Problem Tree analysis:

First, to discuss and agree the problem or issue to be analysed

Second, identification of the causes of the focal problem –

these become the roots

Third, identify the consequences, which become the branches.

3. Outline the stakeholders and actors through
actor analysis
• Before making the problem tree situation/context
analysis needs to be done (in which context the
problem has emerged)
• Situational analysis helps us to know about the
technical aspects of the problem.
• Function of analyst is to examine if the problem is
solvable, if not then the issue should be abandoned.
• Situation analysis is done through actor analysis
Actor Analysis
• Identify the actors and relevant parties to the issue
• Actors have varying views and needs on a problem and on the requirements for
a new system that must be addressed by the solution
• Involving all relevant stakeholders in the analysis and solution-finding process
ensures thoroughness and eliminates the need for a re-work process in the
future.
• It is essential to know the values, preferences of actors involved and
contradictions among the values of actors if there is any
• Effective solution to any complex problem typically involves
satisfying the needs of a diverse group of stakeholders.
• So, involving stakeholders will help determine the root causes
of problems.
Steps of Actor Analysis
Actor analysis examines the perceptions of actors while stakeholder
analysis typically focuses on the dimensions of power and interests of
stakeholders

Actor analysis has five steps:

1. inventory of the actors involved;
2. exhibiting the formal chart: the formal tasks, authorities, and relations
of actors and the current legislation;
3. determining the interests, objectives and problem perceptions of actors;
4. mapping out the interdependencies between actors by making
inventories of
resources and the subjective involvement of actors with the problem;
5. determining the consequences of these findings with regard to the
problem
Game theory
Actor analysis can be done through using Game theory

•The goal of game theory is to explain the strategic actions of two or more players in a given
situation with set rules and outcomes
•The focus of game theory is the game, which is an interactive situation that involves rational
players. The key to game theory is that one player's payoff is contingent on the strategy
implemented by the other player.


Using game theory, real-world scenarios for such situations as pricing competition and product
releases (and many more) can be laid out and their outcomes predicted.
•Scenarios include the prisoner's dilemma among others . Prisoner’s dilemma is a
paradox in decision analysis in which two individuals acting in their own self
interests do not produce the optimal outcome.
4. Define the Solution Boundary
• Once the problem statement is agreed to and the users and stakeholders are
identified, we can turn our attention of defining a solution that can be deployed
to address the problem.

• The system boundary is a defined goal for the solution you wish
to find or a framework for a proposed solution.

• A system proposal has two aspects: the system and its

functionalities and external factors that interact with the
system. The actors are people outside the system that interact
with it.
5. Identify the Constraints Imposed on Solution

• Foreseeable and unforeseeable constraints need to be

identified.