Nonprofit / Free editable template

Problem tree and objective tree template

A problem tree helps a team agree what the real problem is before choosing a project. This example takes girls missing school in one district as the trunk, with causes such as unsafe walks and missing toilets as roots, deeper causes beneath them, and effects such as lower exam results as branches. Beside it, an objective tree rewrites every box as the positive change you want, so the roots become possible projects.

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Problem tree and objective tree example showing roots, trunk and branches for one core problem, a second layer of deeper causes, a mirrored objective tree of positive changes
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. Agree the core problem

    Write one specific problem in the trunk, with a place and a number if you can. Vague problems produce vague trees.

  2. Ask why, then so what

    Ask why the problem happens to find the roots, then why again for the deeper causes. Ask what it leads to for the branches.

  3. Flip it into objectives

    Rewrite every box as a positive statement in the same place. Choose the roots your organisation is best placed to change.

Questions about this template

How do I turn the problem tree into the objective tree?

Rewrite each box from the problem tree as a positive in the same place on the objective tree, so a cause like 'no private toilets' becomes 'private, working toilets'.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

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