Developing Problem Tree

& Solution Tree

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 What is a Problem Tree?

A problem tree provides an overview

of all the known causes and effects
to an identified problem.
 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.
 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 half a day or more
depending on the complexity of your
problem and the diversity of
stakeholders present.
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
What does a Problem Tree look
like?
 The Core Problem
A project should have a specific
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.
 Identifying the causes and
effects
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
OUTPUTS
Financial
in negative terms.
incentives
provided
to The direct
effects of the problem are
household
placed above the core problem.
 Identifying the causes and
effects
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

OUTPUTS
around, as you decide whether they
Financial
incentives
are
provided
a primary, secondary or other
to cause.
household
Lets look at an example
Project
designs do
not
consider
the full
context.

There are
not An example of
enough a core problem
problem
trees
conducted
.
 There are
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problem
trees
conducted
. People do
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what a how to do some causes
problem a problem
tree is. tree.
 There are
not An example of
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problem
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. People do
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what a how to do some causes
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There are Resources

no easily are too
accessible hard to
resources. understan
d.
 Project
designs do
not And now the
consider
effects
the full
context.

There are
not An example of
enough a core problem
problem
trees
conducted
. People do
People do
not know not know Lets look at
what a how to do some causes
problem a problem
tree is. tree.

There are Resources

no easily are too
accessible hard to
resources. understan
d.
An example of a completed problem
tree
 Develop a solution tree
A solution (also called objectives) tree is
developed by reversing the negative
statements that form the problem tree
into positive ones.

For example, a cause (problem tree) such

as lack of knowledge would become a
OUTPUTS
Financial
means such as increased knowledge.
incentives
The objectives tree demonstrates the
provided
to means-end relationship between
objectives.
household
An example of a completed solution
tree
 Select the preferred
intervention
This step is designed to allow the project
team to select and focus an intervention
on a preferred strategy.

The solution tree may present a number of

separate or linked interventions to solve a
problem. Depending on project funding,
time, and relevance, a planned
intervention may not be able to tackle all
the causes.
An example of selecting a preferred
intervention
 Select the preferred
intervention
If all the causes cannot be overcome by a
project, or complementary projects, it is
important to identify if any of the branches
are more influential than others in solving
a problem. This may impact on the success
of your project.

You can also consider the impact of other

branches in your monitoring and
evaluation.
Using the solution tree to inform
your project design
The effects become
Effects Effects
your intermediate
Effects Effects and long term
outcomes
Core
The core can
become your project
Cause Cause
goal or immediate
Cause Cause outcome
The
Cause Cause causes/solutions
become your
 Next Step
Now that you have a
problem/solution tree, you can go on
to develop a LogFrame matrix, or a
Program Logic.
How
guid to
the es for
lo
and gfram
p e
logi rogram
c
foun can be
d on
onli t he
n
tool e
box
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