Troubleshooting Guide for Solving Problems:

Common Problems, Reflection Questions, and Links to Support Tools

     2.   We don’t understand the problem or goal.

SOME REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

SOME CTB SUPPORTS:

1. Have we determined the problem or goal to be addressed?

Toolkit: Anaylying Problems and Goals

Chapter 17, Section 3: Defining and Analyzing the Problem

Chapter 17, Section 4: Analyzing Root Causes of Problems: The "But Why?" Technique

2. Have we reviewed the naming and framing of the problem or goal?

Chapter 32, Section 4: Providing Corrective Feedback

Chapter 32, Section 5: Reframing the Debate

3. Have we gathered information about the extent of the problem or goal attainment?

Chapter 3, Section 4: Collecting Information About the Problem

Chapter 3, Section 9: Developing Baseline Measure of Behavior

Chapter 3, Section 10: Conducting Concerns Surveys

Chapter 30, Section 3: Understanding the Issue

Chapter 31, Section 1: How to Conduct Research: An Overview

Chapter 31, Section 2: Conducting Studies of the Issue

Chapter 38, Section 9: Gather and Using Community-Level Indicators

4. Have we gathered information about the importance of the problem or goal to the community and other stakeholders?

Chapter 3, Section 3: Conducting Public Forums and Listening Sessions

Chapter 3, Section 6: Conducting Focus Groups

Chapter 3, Section 10: Conducting Concerns Surveys

Chapter 3, Section 17: Leading a Community Dialog on Building a Healthy Community

Chapter 38, Section 9: Gathering and Using Community-Level Indicators

5. Have we engaged local people and other stakeholders in analyzing information about the problem or goal?

Toolkit: Developing Strategic and Action Plans

CHAPTER 8: DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN

Chapter 3, Section 17: Leading a Community Dialog on Building a Healthy Community

Chapter 4, Section 1: Developing a Plan for Getting Community Health and Development Issues on the Local Agenda

Chapter 4, Section 3: Gaining Public Support for Addressing Community Health and Development Issues

Chapter 7, Section 1: Developing a Plan for Increasing Participation in Community Action

Chapter 7, Section 2: Promoting Participation Among Diverse Groups

Chapter 7, Section 6: Involving Key Influentials in the Initiative

Chapter 7, Section 7: Involving People Most Affected by the Problem

Chapter 14, Section 7: Building and Sustaining Relationships

Chapter 14, Section 8: Learning From and Contributing to Constituents

6. Have we identified personal and environmental factors and broader conditions that put people at risk for or protect them from the problem?

Chapter 4, Section 4: Understanding People's Needs

Chapter 18, Section 3: Identifying Targets and Agents of Change: Who Can Benefit and Who Can Help

Chapter 19, Section 2: Understanding Risk and Protective Factors: Their Use in Selecting Potential Targets and Promising Strategies for Interventions

Chapter 19, Section 3: Identifying Strategies and Tactics for Reducing Risks

7. Have we analyzed “root” causes of the problem to identify the conditions and related behaviors, and promising interventions that might contribute to improvement?

Chapter 17, Section 3: Defining and Analyzing the Problem

Chapter 17, Section 4: Analyzing Root Causes of the Problem: The "But Why?" Technique

Chapter 19, Section 1: Criteria for Choosing Promising Practices and Community Interventions

Chapter 19, Section 3: Identifying Strategies and Tactics for Reducing Risks

8. Have we identified targets and agents of change in addressing the identified problem or goal?

Chapter 18, Section 3: Identifying Targets and Agents of Change: Who Can Benefit and Who Can Help

Chapter 19, Section 2: Understanding Risk and Protective Factors: Their Use in Selecting Potential Targets and Promising Strategies for Interventions