Problem map
A problem map is a visual representation of symptoms, causes, actors, constraints and possible points of intervention.
Definition
A problem map helps you move from a general impression of chaos to an orderly picture of the situation. It shows what is a symptom, what is a possible cause, what parts of the system are interconnected and where you can start taking action. It does not replace data, but it facilitates meaningful data collection.
Key ideas
- Separating symptoms from causes
- Seeing dependencies
- Choosing an intervention point
Practice and life
Draw the problem in the center and around it add: symptoms, possible causes, people, limitations, data and first steps to check.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to build a map solely from opinions without facts. The second mistake is to consider the first structure drawn as the final one.
> A problem ceases to be a problem when it begins to have a shape, and it can only have a shape when we define its limits.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What is the symptom and what is the cause?
- What data supports this map?
- Where is the least sensible point of action?