When completed, discuss what the problem tree shows. For example, do the “How causes and effects relate to each other?” Participants can now turn the problem tree into a solution tree to form a plan of action. Make a start on the solution tree by turning the negative statement into a positive one (e.g. of Participation” becomes participation”). This positive “Lack “Widespread statement now becomes the objective to be written on the trunk of your new tree. To understand how that objective can be achieved, encourage participants to look at the root causes and turn negative statements into positive ones. For example a cause of the problem might be prices” which becomes levels “unaffordable “price reduced”. Continue down the roots until the solutions have been identified. ‘root’ Now look at the positive effects that the objective (“Widespread participation”) will have by (again) turning negative statements on the branches into positive ones. Allow time to discuss the solutions. Identify solutions that are likely to contribute most to achieving the objective, which action should be a priority, and what needs to happen immediately. Agree and record the main actions to take forward. Timing Typical timings for a single group are as follows: 5 minutes to introduce the tool and topic. 25 minutes for the group to complete the Problem Tree. 15 minutes then to complete Solution Tree. 15 minutes to discuss and the actions. Materials Essential materials include: A large piece of paper (e.g. flipchart paper) Enough markers or pens for each group member A space on the floor or wall to place the paper Post-it notes. Advantages: Challenges: Helps break problems down into It may be difficult to understand all manageable and definable chunks. effects and causes of a problem right All issues and effects are from the beginning. systematically explored and dealt It requires time to bring all relevant with. actors together and thoroughly The interconnections between explore the issues. problems, effects and solutions The complexity of the process requires become clear. careful facilitation. The process helps build a shared sense of understanding, purpose and action. Tips for facilitators
When completed, discuss what the problem tree shows. For example, “How do the causes and effects relate to each other?” Participants can now turn the problem tree into a solution tree to form a plan of action. Make a start on the solution tree by turning the negative statement into a positive one (e.g. “Lack of Participation” becomes “Widespread participation”). This positive statement now becomes the objective to be written on the trunk of your new tree. To understand how that objective can be achieved, encourage participants to look at the root causes and turn negative statements into positive ones. For example a cause of the problem might be “unaffordable prices” which becomes “price levels reduced”. Continue down the roots until the ‘root’ solutions have been identified. Now look at the positive effects that the objective (“Widespread participation”) will have by (again) turning negative statements on the branches into positive ones. Allow time to discuss the solutions. Identify solutions that are likely to contribute most to achieving the objective, which action should be a priority, and what needs to happen immediately. Agree and record the main actions to take forward. Timing Typical timings for a single group are as follows: 5 minutes to introduce the tool and topic. 25 minutes for the group to complete the Problem Tree. 15 minutes then to complete Solution Tree. 15 minutes to discuss and the actions. Materials Essential materials include: A large piece of paper (e.g. flipchart paper) Enough markers or pens for each group member A space on the floor or wall to place the paper Post-it notes. Advantages: Helps break problems down into manageable and definable chunks. All issues and effects are systematically explored and dealt with. The interconnections between problems, effects and solutions become clear. The process helps build a shared sense of understanding, purpose and action. Challenges: It may be difficult to understand all effects and causes of a problem right from the beginning. It requires time to bring all relevant actors together and thoroughly explore the issues. The complexity of the process requires careful facilitation. Tips for facilitators
10%20participatory%20tools%20for%20clubs%20-%20Social%20Value%20Lab.docx