Use this guide to a causal mapping exercise to help you better identify the connections between the root, immediate, and secondary problems you’re facing, and their causes. It uses the visual structure of a tree to address different levels of problems, and the different causes to which they’re connected. I’ve provided a few idas for potential causes, but feel free to adapt this to suit your needs.

I recommend starting with the root problems, the deep-seated issues, and the immediate ways in which they manifest. Each of the root problems should have a related cause in the tree, so you can connect all of them to at least one cause.

This can then help you to design a strategy that addresses either the causes or one or more levels of the problem. This is a necessary step for ensuring your project meets the needs of its context, so you can be assured at some level of its success.

You can find the PDF here. I hope it’s useful, and let me know how you’ve used it!