“Problem Tree” Learning Object

• Map a core problem in terms of its causes and effects
• Capture diverse perspectives on a problem and align understanding
• Serve as a source for future discussion of opportunities for collaborative solutions to the problem

Creation of a problem tree is beneficial for a team aimed at dealing with complex problems. This activity can also be used to get all members of a team on the same page about the issue at hand.

First, decide on whether you will be working in a virtual or in-person setting for this activity.

• Virtual: Consider using a digital white board tool such as Microsoft’s Whiteboard, Mural.co, or another tool. (See page 2 of this document for an alternative way to visualize a problem tree, which looks similar to an organizational chart.) Make sure that whatever you use can be retained after the meeting so the product of the activity is not lost.
• In person: You will likely need a physical whiteboard, large poster board, or a large-scale flip chart that ideas can be added to. Sticky notes are the most useful to add ideas to the problem tree when done in person because the notes can be moved around and organized at a later stage in the activity. If you write the ideas using markers on a board or paper, you will not be able to move them around. Make sure to photograph the final product at the conclusion of the meeting so it can be referred to in the future.

1. Introduce the activity as a way for members of a collaboration to identify the core problem or phenomenon they will be investigating, and then characterize the problem/phenomenon in terms of its causes and impacts. A tree is used as a conceptual point of reference with a trunk, roots, and branches used to refer to the core problem, causes, and impacts, respectively.
   • If a team already has a core problem, skip to Step #3.
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2. Agree on the central problem to label the “trunk” of the tree (5-10 minutes). The first step in creating a problem tree is for members of the group to agree on a word or phrasethat captures the central problem or phenomenon the team is interested in addressing. Ensure the word/phrase is not too broad as to encompass an entire field or discipline, but also not too narrow so as to exclude multiple perspectives from contributing. Once the word/phrase is agreed upon, write it in the center of the virtual or physical board space.
3. Collaboratively identify “root” causes (5-10 minutes). After the central problem is identified, all members may start contributing causes to the tree along the bottom of the board space by adding one idea to each sticky note; these are the roots. It can be helpful to use one color of sticky notes or font for the causes, and a different color for the impacts, so they can be distinguished.
4. Collaboratively identify the “branching” impacts (5-10 minutes). After the group has stopped generating new causes, move to using the same process of writing one idea per sticky note for the impacts, the consequences of the problem. Place these along the top of the tree; these are the branches. As noted above, use a different color of sticky note or font for the impacts than the causes. (Note: If the team prefers, they can start with the impacts and then proceed to the causes.)
5. Group the causes and impacts by theme (15-20 minutes). Once ideas for causes and impacts have been exhausted, move next to grouping each by theme. Consider labeling the grouped cause/impact stickies with short titles to further shared understanding. Themes will help you understand the major issues underlying and resulting from the core problem and may suggest directions for focused investigation and solution formation.

• Make sure everyone is contributing to the discussion of the core problem as well as adding sticky notes for the causes and impacts. This early teamwork of defining a problem to pursue will set the stage for later activities. If a member’s perspective and expertise is not included in the discussion and idea generation for the tree, they may be left out and not feel part of the team moving forward.
• At both the stages of generating the core problem statement (Step #2) and grouping the causes and impacts by theme (Step #5), discussion and debate are encouraged to develop and refine ideas. In contrast, the steps involving brainstorming of causes and impacts (#3-4) should be as generative and inclusive as possible. Questions and discussion can be part of the causes and impacts brainstorming steps, but members should lean toward asking questions to clarify their own understanding of other members’ contributions instead of challenging others’ ideas at that point.

A situational analysis and visual model that characterizes a central problem or phenomenon along with its underlying causes and resulting impacts.

A unifying understanding and conceptual framework that was generated together by all team members and can serve as a reference for future discussion on opportunities for collaborative efforts.

Tackling Complex Problems

This brainstorming activity is great for characterizing complex problems that have many underlying causes and resulting impacts, including researchers and other stakeholders who may work together on investigating the problem and finding solutions. The generation of many diverse ideas and perspectives is encouraged to fully describe the problem space.

Once the visual “problem tree” is created, it can be discussed at future team meetings, with a part of the tree delineated as the area in which the team will focus. Or, several parts of the tree may be encircled to indicate the foci of subgroups or individual team members, which contribute to the larger goals of the collaborative. In examining the tree, the team may identify an area of interest that they lack the full expertise to pursue. This identified gap on the team is an opportunity to add additional members or consultants, or to upskill current members.

Seeking a Shared Mental Model

For new teams or those embarking on new projects, this activity can help the group develop a “shared mental model.” A shared mental model is a conceptual representation of an issue that gets everyone on the same page. Since everyone is contributing ideas, and working together to group ideas by theme, the output should be one generated and understood by the group. If members of the group do not understand parts of the model, provide opportunity for them to ask questions and learn more, either during the exercise or at future group meetings where the tree output can be discussed.

This learning object can be applied when a new team is formed or when a new project is taking off. This is an opportunity for a team to develop a shared mental model (see the relevant use case explained above) and decide on topics and areas of the problem to pursue.

This activity is best done with a relatively small group (5-7 individuals) so many individuals have opportunities to contribute during the discussion portions. For larger groups, it may be helpful to first identify sub-topics in a major problem area that subgroups can go on to develop problem trees around.

If the problem is already well-defined and commonly understood within a team (e.g., within a unidisciplinary team that has worked together before) this tool may not be as helpful. However, if the problem or objectives of the group need reevaluation to determine a path forward, this activity can be a helpful intervention.

With this visual model in hand, the team can discuss future directions for their collaboration, considering which causes and impacts to investigate that unite their interests. This could be a time for adding stars to the tree stickies or circling portions of the created problem tree that are of particular interest. Additionally, the created problem tree can reveal places where group members disagree, such as about what are the root causes or resulting outcomes of a given problem, leading to additional discussion to reconcile different perspectives. As the discussion and project evolves, the problem tree can be revisited and updated with new ideas.

Once data are collected, especially in a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary project, it may be helpful to summarize the collected data or findings by adding information about findings back to the problem tree. The visual representation with the tagged data/findings may provide the group new insights into where more data or information is still needed.

This exercise draws heavily from a problem tree activity published in the Integrated Research Toolkit. Some modifications in the language used to describe the problem tree and additions such as the use cases and contexts in which to implement and extend the activity are new contributions.

The Integrated Research Toolkit's "What is integrated research?" post is especially helpful for understanding the variety of ways disciplines can come together and conduct research. So also is the book Disciplining Interdisciplinarity by Gabriele Bammer.

One alternative activity is the “idea tree.” Additional resources are also included at this link for collaborative brainstorming. Similar activities can also be found by searching online for the phrase “concept map.”

An additional similar activity is called the “soft systems methodology” and is used to create a shared understanding of a problem, but also to start pitching and examining possible solutions to the problem.