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   Part F. Analyzing Community Problems and Designing and Ad... >
      Chapter 17. Analyzing Community Problems and Solutions >
         Section 3. Defining and Analyzing the Problem >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Defining and Analyzing the Problem

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Jenette Nagy Edited by Jerry Schultz and Kate Nagy

Tools

Tool #1: Deciding on a problem statement
Tool #2: Choosing which problem to solve

Checklist

Tool #1: Deciding on a problem statement

This exercise is adapted from an exercise on developing vision statements created by Lori Alvarado, DCCCA Center, Lawrence, KS. This activity works best in groups with less that 40 people.

1. Ask everyone present at the meeting to write down his/her definition of the problem.

2. Ask people to pair off and share their problem statements with each other. Together, the pair can create a new problem statement, incorporating ideas from both.

3. Ask pairs to join together in groups of four, and again merge the statements into one.

4. Continue joining the groups in larger and larger groups until everyone is together again, and you have one agreed upon statement.

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Tool #2: Choosing which problem to solve

The following table can be used or adapted to help you decide which problem you want to try to solve if you have several on your plate at the same time. By answering each question, you can get a clearer idea of all of the aspects of solving a problem, and should be able to choose more easily and effectively. For a completed example of this chart, see the Examples section above.


Problem 1:

Problem 2:

How frequently does the problem occur?




How many people are affected?




For what amount of time are they affected?




How severe is the effect?             




How important do group members perceive the problem to be?




How important is the problem perceived to be by others?




How likely is it that we can solve/significantly improve the problem?




Are there any negative impacts?




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Checklist

You understand the nature of problems:

___They may be defined as the difference between what is and what might or should be.

___They may occur within or outside of the group.

___They occur at different levels of severity.

You have clarified the problem:

___You have started with what you know.

___You have decided what is missing.

___You have gathered information on the problem.

___You have defined the problem.

You have decided to solve the problem:

___It is important.

___It is feasible.

___You are the best people to solve the problem.

___You have weighed the negative impacts.

___You have chosen among possible problems.

You have analyzed the problem:

___You know what the problem is.

___You know why the problem exists.

___You know who is causing the problem.

___You know when the problem first occurred or became significant.

___You know how much, or to what extent, the problem is occurring.

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