Team Leader’s Name:
Business Name:
Problem Tree
Designing the solution - Business and Impact Ideation
Overview
For social and green entrepreneurs it is crucial that they have a clear understanding of the core
problem they are aiming to solve through their work, as this will drive their purpose, vision and
strategy.
A common mistake entrepreneurs make is to focus on the symptoms of the problem, rather than the
core problem itself, which means that they are less likely to achieve their intended impact. This tool
helps to clarify the core problem they should be focusing on, creating a structural analysis of the
causes and effects of a problem. This allows entrepreneurs to design the right solution to have
maximum impact. It also builds a sense of shared purpose among team members.
The Problem Tree tool helps the entrepreneur to break the problem down into manageable and
definable chunks, which can be prioritised. Entrepreneurs can then develop a solution tree from a
completed problem tree, by converting all the negative statements of the problem tree into positive
statements. A solution tree, also known as an objective tree, is a tool that helps you to convert the
problem tree, its root causes and effects, into possible solutions.
Quick guide
1) As a team, take some time to agree on what is the main problem you are trying to tackle. Once defined, write the
problem on the tree of the trunk.
2) Through discussions, identify the different root causes of the problem, and write each one in the spaces within the
roots section. There might be some immediate causes of the problem, which should come directly below the main
problem. There might also be secondary causes (which have caused the immediate causes to happen); these should be
placed below the immediate causes. Be careful not to over-analyse - if you go down the ‘whys’ for too long it can become
too abstract.
3) Discuss what the potential consequences of the problem are. Think about the different effects the problem can have
on individuals, wider society, the economy and the environment, where relevant. Write the key consequences you have
identified in the branch section.
4) You will now have many causes and consequences identified. You can draw a vertical line from secondary cause ->
immediate cause -> main problem -> consequence, to show where there is a clear, logical sequence of cause and effect.
Horizontal lines can be used to join related causes or effects.
5) Create a solution tree from your problem tree. Start by converting all the negative statements of the problem tree into
positive statements. In other words, if you assume all the problems: the main problem, the root causes and the effects,
were solved, what would they look like?
6) Finally, it is unlikely you will be able to effectively tackle all causes and consequences, so it is important to prioritise
what you will focus on. Identify the specific sequences of cause, main problem and consequence (and their related
conversions in the solution tree) which you want to prioritise, and highlight them This will help you visualise and design a
programme that will best address the main problem.
Problem Tree Solution Tree
Example Example
Quick To do
guide
1. As a team, agree on what is the main
problem you are trying to tackle.
Once defined, write the problem on
the tree of the trunk.
2. Through discussions, identify the
different root causes of the problem,
and write each one within the roots
section. There might be some
immediate causes of the problem,
which should come directly below the
main problem. Secondary causes
(which have caused the immediate
causes to happen) should be placed
below the immediate causes. Be Problem Tree
careful not to over-analyse - if you go
down the ‘whys’ for too long it can
become too abstract.
3. Discuss what the potential
consequences of the problem are.
Think about the different effects the
problem can have on individuals,
wider society, the economy and the
environment, where relevant. Write
the key consequences in the branch
section.
4. Draw a vertical line from secondary
cause -> immediate cause -> main
problem -> consequence, to show
where there is a clear, logical
sequence of cause and effect.
Horizontal lines can be used to join
related causes or effects.
Quick To do
guide
5. Create a solution tree from your
problem tree. Start by converting all
the negative statements of the
problem tree into positive statements
(if you assume all the problems: the
main problem, the root causes and
the effects, were solved, what would
they look like?).
6. It is unlikely you will be able to
effectively tackle all causes and
consequences, so it is important to
prioritise what you will focus on.
Identify the specific sequences of
cause, main problem and Solution Tree
consequence (and their related
conversions in the solution tree)
which you want to prioritise, and
highlight them. This will help you
visualise and design a programme
that will best address the core
problem targeted by your activities.
