• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
 
 Adapted from Young People For 
Root Cause Tree
OVERVIEW
The Root Cause Tree helps you visually analyze the symptoms (fruit). Institutional causes (trunk), andunderlying systemic causes (roots) of a problem.This tool helps you define your individual analysis about a problem if you complete it as an individualexercise, or create a shared analysis of a problem if you complete it with a group.
 
WHY USE THIS TOOL?
Determine a problems root causes will help you avoid band-aid solutions or solutions that only addresssymptoms. Our analysis of a problem will determine the strategy we use to solve it. You must be able toarticulate your analysis in order to develop a solution and to identify appropriate allies and partners. It isimportant that people have a shared analysis of a problem so that can have a shared plan of action toaddress the problem.
HOW DO I USE THIS TOOL?
STEP 1:
Decide what issue to analyze using the Root Cause Tree.
STEP
2: Use the blank Root Cause Tree chart on the next page. Start by filling out the top levelof the sheet with the impacts or symptoms of the issue. These impacts are represented by thefruit; they are problems that you can see or touch in your community.
STEP
3: Ask yourself or the group, What are the structures and policies that institutionalizethe problems we see (the fruit)? or  Why do these problems exist on our communities? Fill inthe trunk section with structures or policies that institutionalize the main issue youve chosen.
STEP
4: Ask yourself or the group, What are the underlying historical, social, political, oreconomic root causes of these problems? or Why do these structures or policies (trunk) exist?Keep saying Why? in order to get to the root causes.
STEP
5: Discuss what your analysis of the main issue means for your approach to socialchange. Your actions must go beyond the symptoms (fruit), and address structures or policies(trunk), in order to make lasting change in your community.
YLC C
IVIC
E
NGAGEMENT
P
ROGRAM
 
O
RGANIZING
 
 Adapted from Young People For 
 
T
RUNK
: What structures, practices, and policiesinstitutionalize the problem?
R
OOTS
: What are the underlying historical,social, political or economic root causes ofthese problems? Why do these structuresor policies exist?
 
F
RUIT
: What impact or problems do you seefacing your community?
Root Cause Tree
YLC C
IVIC
E
NGAGEMENT
P
ROGRAM
 
O
RGANIZING
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...