CONFLICT
TREE
Prof. Dr. IJAZ AHMAD
DEPARTMENT OF CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE-PAKISTAN
Conflict
Negative Condition Specific and Clear Owned by a
Situation which Specific Group /
hinders / prevents Stakeholder
the achievement /
realization of
desired positive
change
Conflict Tree
It clarifies the It visually
relationships represents the
among the Causes and
identified conflicts Effects of existing
problems in a
project area in the
form of Conflict
Tree
Conflict Tree
A Diagnostic Tool to:
Analyse the existing situation surrounding a given
Conflict Context
Identify major problems associated with the stated
negative condition
Recognize Cause-Effect relationships in a simple,
transparent way that is easy for any lay person to
follow
To stimulate discussion about causes
and effects in a conflict
To help a group to agree on the core
problem
To relate causes and effects to each other
and to focus a organization
Place the direct
effects
Effects of
the Focal
Conflict
Identify a
Focal Conflict Focal / Starter / Core Conflict
Extend as
far as
Possible
Causes of
the Focal Places the Causes
Conflict
Secondary Effect Secondary Effect Secondary Effect
Primary Effect Primary Effect
Core Problem / Conflict
Primary Cause Primary Cause Primary Cause
Secondary Cause Secondary Cause Secondary Cause
The tree visualizes
the interaction between
STRUCTURAL,
MANIFEST (visible)
and
DYNAMIC
FACTORS
TheROOTS
symbolize
structural
“STATIC”
factors.
Structural Factors
Skills, abilities, perceptions, values, ethics, emotions, Communication
barrier, cultural differences
DYNAMIC FACTORS
Dynamic factors include the form of communication, escalation
level, etc.
Working with dynamic factors involves a short time horizon;
reactions to interventions are quick and at times unpredictable.
Examples:
diplomatic interventions, or multi track conflict transformation
dealing directly with the form of interaction between the
conflict parties.
Manifest
Issues
Issues are what the conflict
parties want to talk about,
the “topic” of the conflict.
The ROOTS symbolize
structural
“STATIC”
factors.
Structural Factors
Size, Specialization, Specification (Skills & abilities) Common Resources (perceptions),
Goal Difference (values & ethics), Authority Relationship (emotions), Status
(Communication barrier, cultural differences)
STRUCTURAL FACTORS
Root causes are
the basic “reason” of the conflict.
These are:
difficult to influence on a short time basis
if
they are avoided,
however,
the conflict may pop up again later.
The trunk represents:
the manifest (apparent, clear, visible) issues
linking
STRUCTURAL FACTORS
with the
DYNAMIC FACTORS.
The leaves
MOVING IN THE WIND
represent
THE DYNAMIC FACTORS.
The conflict tree deals with the
difference between
STRUCTURAL
and
DYNAMIC
Factors
The conflict tree is
thus a
VISUALIZING
and
SORTING
tool.
Instructions
1. Draw a picture of a tree, including its
roots, trunk and branches – on a large
sheet of paper or a flipchart.
2. Each person gets several index cards, on
which they write a word or two, or draw
a symbol or picture, indicating
important factors of the conflict as they
see it.
3. Invite people to attach their cards to the tree:
on the roots, if they see it as a
root cause on the trunk, if they
think it is a manifest issue, a
“topic” of the conflict on the
branches, if they see it as a
dynamic factor influencing the
conflict.
4. Someone facilitates the discussion on where the
factors are placed on the tree.
There is no absolute “right” or “wrong”.
Placement of factors is partly subjective, may be
different in different conflicts, and may change
over time.
Nevertheless, try as a group to create a common
snap shot of the conflict as the group sees it.
5. People can visualize their own conflict
transformation efforts (e.g. as a bird or
worm) and place this on the tree in relation
to the factors they are currently working
on.
6. Discuss the links between root causes and
dynamics factors and how to address these
Increase susceptibility to Shift towards traditional
illness – cough, colds, fever, medicines – herbal
diarrhea medicines
Lack of Medical Supplies
Poverty – lack of Lack of resources Logistical
money to buy – the municipal problems – lack of
medicnes health center itself coordination and
lacks medicines follow up
Insufficient maintenance funds Bureaucratic water administration
Deteriorated water system Few service connection
Lack of sufficient clean water
High rate of diseases
High rate of infant Low productivity
morality of workers
Low income
