The problem tree is a powerful analytical tool used to dissect and understand complex issues in a structured and visual manner. By breaking down a central problem into its causes and consequences, this technique provides clarity for researchers, students, and professionals tackling projects, theses, or policy challenges. This article explains what a problem tree is, how to create one, and its practical applications, offering examples, templates, and a comparison with the objectives tree. Additionally, it provides guidance on avoiding common pitfalls and resources for thesis writing.
¿Qué es un árbol de problemas?
A problem tree is a visual and organized method for analyzing a problem by representing it as a tree. The trunk symbolizes the central problem, the roots depict the causes or factors contributing to it, and the branches illustrate the consequences or effects it generates (CONEVAL, s.f.). This technique, also known as the método del árbol or técnica del árbol, allows flexibility in its representation, either as a traditional tree diagram or a grid-based esquema de cuadros, depending on the needs of the proyecto de investigación. By mapping out the problem’s structure, it helps researchers and planners understand its complexity and identify key areas for further investigation.
¿Cómo hacer un árbol del problema?
Creating a problem tree involves a systematic process that ensures a clear and comprehensive analysis of the issue at hand. The following steps, adapted from Burgwal and Cuéllar (1999), Chevalier and Buckles (2009), and Rey Sacristán (2003), guide you through the process.
Paso 1: Comienza identificando claramente el problema central que deseas investigar
Start by defining the central problem, which is the negative situación or condición you aim to address. This problem forms the trunk of the tree and serves as the focal point of the análisis. For example, a researcher might identify “high stress levels among students” as the central issue, ensuring it is specific and relevant to the proyecto.
Paso 2: Identifica las Causas (Raíces)
Next, determine the reasons or factors behind the problem, which form the roots of the tree. These causas can be interconnected and may include primary and secondary factors. Keep descriptions brief and clear. For instance, causes of student stress might include lack of stress management habilidades, excessive academic carga, or insufficient tutor apoyo. Identifying these roots helps uncover the underlying drivers of the problem.
Paso 3: Señala las Consecuencias (Ramas)
The branches represent the consequences or efectos of the problem on its entorno. These can be direct or indirect and often stem from the primary causes. For example, consequences of student stress might include impacto on salud mental, such as ansiedad or depresión, or a descenso in academic rendimiento. Naming consequences simply ensures clarity and highlights the problem’s broader implications.
Paso 4: Reflexionar y Analizar
Once the tree is constructed, reflect on how the causes and consequences are interconnected. This análisis reveals the problem’s complexity and provides pistas for deeper investigation. To add estructura, prioritize causes and consequences, distinguishing between primary and secondary ones. For example, a primary cause like lack of tutor orientación might outweigh secondary factors like limited tiempo. This step helps refine the research focus and identify actionable areas for resolution.
Árbol de problemas vacío [plantillas]
For those wondering how to create a diagrama de árbol in Word, downloadable plantillas simplify the process. These templates are available in two versions: a traditional “árbol” format and a “cuadrícula” or mapa layout. Access them here:
- Archivo: diagrama-arbol-problemas-1.docx
- Archivo: diagrama-arbol-problemas-2.docx
- Archivo: diagrama-arbol-problemas-mapa-1.docx
- Archivo: diagrama-arbol-problemas-mapa-2.docx
These plantillas allow users to customize their problem tree based on their proyecto’s needs, ensuring a professional and organized presentation.
Árbol de problemas ejemplos
To illustrate the problem tree’s application, consider two practical examples that follow the outlined steps.
Ejemplo 1: Alto nivel de estrés de estudiantes de Ciencias Políticas al trabajar en su tesis
Imagine the central problem is the high nivel of estrés experienced by estudiantes of Ciencias Políticas while working on their tesis. The causes (roots) include falta de habilidades to manage estrés, leading to feeling overwhelmed by academic presión and exigencias; exceso de carga académica, which limits tiempo for actividades outside clase and disrupts vida balance; and falta de apoyo from tutores, leaving students feeling isolated. The consequences (branches) include impacto on salud mental, such as ansiedad or depresión; descenso del rendimiento académico due to desmotivación and retrasos; agotamiento emocional y físico; and procrastinación, where students delay tareas in favor of distracciones, worsening their desmotivación. This example demonstrates how a problem tree clarifies a complex issue from multiple ángulos.
Ejemplo 2: Desafíos en la Realización de una Tesis de Investigación
Consider estudiantes universitarios facing desafíos in completing their tesis de investigación. The causes include falta de experiencia in investigación, making it difficult to navigate métodos de investigación; difficulty formulating a solid pregunta de investigación, leading to problemas later; presión from plazos and limited tiempo due to academic carga and unrealistic expectativas; and limited acceso to recursos like bibliotecas or bases de datos, coupled with insufficient tutor orientación. The consequences include tesis de baja calidad, contributing little to the campo de estudio; retraso or abandono of the tesis due to desmotivación; and deterioro of salud mental and bienestar estudiantil, with estrés and ansiedad impacting calidad de vida. This example highlights the problem tree’s ability to map out interconnected challenges.
¿Para qué sirve el árbol de problemas?
The problem tree is a versatile herramienta with applications beyond thesis writing. In planificación de proyectos and programas, empresas and equipos de trabajo use it to analyze causas subyacentes of desafíos, enabling the design of effective estrategias. In the ámbito of formulación de políticas públicas, it helps identify causas and consecuencias of social and environmental problemas, guiding áreas where políticas gubernamentales can be most impactful. During gestión de crisis or emergencias, equipos de respuesta use problem trees to quickly understand the causa raíz and develop robust estrategias. For students, the problem tree is invaluable in elaborating a tesis, as it defines and justifies the tema while pinpointing key áreas de investigación.
Diferencia Árbol de problemas y Árbol de objetivos
While the problem tree focuses on understanding a problema by exploring its causas and efectos, the árbol de objetivos (or árbol de soluciones) is a planning herramienta used to break down objetivos generales into objetivos específicos (Coneval, s.f.). The objectives tree establishes a jerarquía of objetivos and subobjetivos, clarifying how each contributes to the proyecto’s éxito. The key differences are:
- Enfoque: The problem tree dissects a specific problema, while the objectives tree focuses on finding soluciones and estrategias to improve the situación.
- Jerarquía: The problem tree explores causas and efectos, whereas the objectives tree organizes objetivos and subobjetivos.
- Utilidad: The problem tree analyzes the current situación to identify what needs resolution, while the objectives tree plans acciones to achieve established objetivos.
Both herramientas are complementary, used in different etapas of the resolución de problemas process, from comprensión to toma de decisiones.
Bibliografía
- Burgwal, G., y Cuéllar, J. (1999). Planificación estratégica y operativa aplicada a gobiernos locales: manual de facilitación: incluye materiales para los participantes. Editorial Abya Yala.
- Chevalier, J., y Buckles, D. (2009). Guía práctica de campo: SAS2; sistemas de análisis social. Centro Internacional de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo, CIID, Cooperación, Honduras-Canadá.
- Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social (Coneval) (s.f.). Elaboración del árbol del problema y del árbol de objetivos. Boletín de monitoreo. [Ver enlace]
- Rey Sacristán, F. (2003). Técnicas de resolución de problemas. FC Editorial.
