Diagramming the multiple causes of the problem—social, economic, environmental—can help to clarify their relative importance.
Sequence/Steps:
- Start by identifying the adverse social, environmental, economic, or organizational
impact that the group hopes to change. Put it on the right side of a large piece of
newsprint. - To the left of the “impact” ask the group to list the direct “threats” or causes
contributing to the problem/impact; draw arrows to the “impact.” - Identify and list “indirect” threats or activities that influence the direct threats.
- Identify and diagram other contributing factors.
- Discuss the arrangement of direct, indirect, and contributing factors until the resulting
diagram reflects the consensus view of the group.
In Practice
