Why This Matters - Problem Tree Analysis
Problems that are not clearly defined produce weak solutions. Getting this step right shapes everything after it.
Common Pitfalls
Vague Problem Definition
Unfocused solutions follow.
Assumption-Based Planning
You end up with solutions that miss the mark.
Weak Evidence Base
Proposals built on it are hard to trust.
Skip Community Validation
Communities don't recognize themselves in the outcome.
The Problem Analysis Journey
graph LR
DESK["📚 PHASE 1
Desk Review
(AI-Assisted
Research)"]
TREE["🌳 PHASE 2
Draft Problem
Tree with (E)
and (A) tags"]
QA["✓ PHASE 3
Quality
Assurance
Checklist"]
QUESTIONS["❓ PHASE 4
Convert (A) to
Stakeholder
Questions"]
ENGAGE["💬 PHASE 5
Stakeholder
Engagement &
Validation
(Lesson 1.2)"]
REFINE["🔄 PHASE 6
Refine Tree
with Community
Insights"]
TOC["🎯 PHASE 7
Theory of
Change
(Lesson 1.4)"]
DESIGN["🚀 PHASE 8
Activity Design,
Proposals,
Budgets
(Module 2)"]
DESK --> TREE
TREE --> QA
QA --> QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS --> ENGAGE
ENGAGE --> REFINE
REFINE --> TOC
TOC --> DESIGN
style DESK fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:2px,color:#1F2937
style TREE fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:2px,color:#1F2937
style QA fill:#72B043,stroke:#5A8F36,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
style QUESTIONS fill:#72B043,stroke:#5A8F36,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
style ENGAGE fill:#10B981,stroke:#059669,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff
style REFINE fill:#10B981,stroke:#059669,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff
style TOC fill:#F37324,stroke:#E05C1B,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
style DESIGN fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
Where You Are Right Now
Lesson 1.1 covers desk research through drafting your Problem Tree. Stakeholder validation and Theory of Change come next.
Ready to Learn the Method
Move to Understanding Problem Tree next to learn the framework.