SAS2 - Tools - Social Analysis Techniques - Problems

The Problems module includes techniques to describe or Profile problems or to assess the Interaction of problems.

Problem Profile

Problem Tree (PDF document, 382 KB) helps you assess the first and second-level causes and effects of a core problem.

Force Field (PDF document, 174 KB) helps you examine the factors that cause a problem and those that counteract it and stop it from becoming worse.

Timeline (PDF document, 210 KB) helps you identify events that have created a situation and how it has evolved over time.

Previous Responses (PDF document, 181 KB) helps you characterize the ways that key parties have managed core problems in the past and investigate the positive and negative effects of these responses.

Gaps and Conflicts (PDF document, 306 KB) helps you determine whether a core problem is mostly about gaps or about conflicts in particular areas such as power, interests (gains and losses), values, or information and communication.

Problem Interaction

Problem Domain (PDF document, 729 KB) helps you examine how people view existing problems or actions using words and characteristics that participants themselves choose and define. It also helps you look for ways to negotiate views of problems or actions across social and cultural boundaries and identify learning opportunities.

Causal Dynamics (PDF document, 297 KB) helps you assess the causes of a key problem and the way that each cause interacts with other causes. It also helps you decide whether you should act directly on a problem or though its main causes and the factors affecting them, and the order in which you should act on certain factors.

Activity Dynamics (PDF document, 269 KB) helps you assess the degree to which one activity contributes to other activities and depends on them at the same time. You can use the technique to rethink your priorities or modify some activities in ways that better contribute to other activities.

Skill Dynamics (PDF document, 230 KB) helps you assess the degree to which each skill you apply to a set of skills contributes to other skills and depends on them at the same time. You can use the technique to discuss what skills need to be improved or used in ways that better contribute to the overall set of skills of individuals or groups of people.

A.R.T. (Action, Research, Training) (PDF document, 175 KB) helps you assess the balance and integration of three project components: 1) actions, aimed at achieving project or program goals, 2) research, consisting of data collection and diagnostic analysis, and 3) training, involving capacity-building events and strategies. You can also use the technique to explore what you can do to develop an A.R.T. profile right for you or your organization.