GOING INTO

PROBLEM
ANALYSIS

What is a Problem?
A problem represents a
need, a development area,
a deficiency or a nagging
dissatisfaction over
something.

What is a Problem?
It refers to a gap, deviation, or
discrepancy between what is
and what should be, between
what conditions are actually
obtaining & the established
norms of acceptable
performance.

Options school managers

do:
Face the problem squarely
Run away from the problem
Pretend the problem does
not exist

Identifying Problems
It starts with gathering data
and sifting them to separate
the relevant from the
irrelevant information. (also
known as problem
specification)

Having specified the relevant

information enables the
person to establish the
parameters for the problem
which aids in ascertaining
gaps/deviations.

Prioritizing Problems
When a certain situation gives rise
to several problems, it is
necessary to determine which
problems should be dealt with
first, either because of its
primary importance or its
solution will automatically
remedy the other subsidiary

Prioritizing.
The process of
arranging problems
on the basis of
primacy

Criteria for Prioritizing

Seriousness (S) the impact,
consequence or effect of the problem
on the agency and its subsystem
Urgency (U) the length of time
available for the problem to be solved
in order not to aggravate the existing
situation.
Gravity (G) the extent to which the
problem, if left unattended will give
rise to other problems

Using a scale 1 to 5; each of the problems

are rated on the three criteria. The total
rating of each serves as the basis for
determining which problem takes priority.
Problem

Total
Rating

11

10

Priority
Proble
m

Using the Problem Tree

A technique used to analyze a
particular problem. It is a
diagrammatic presentation of
the analysis of the problem in
focus. (core problem)

Problem analysis starts by identifying

the causes of the core problem. To
do this, the WHY question is used.
Example: Core Problem: High Dropout Rate
Asking the question What are the
causes of high drop-out rate? will
reveal different causes of the core
problem.

High
rate
Highdrop-out
drop-out

Core problem

rate
Ineffective
teachers

Poor
pre-service
preparation

Home chores
of students

Lack of
motivation

Lack of
commitment

Lack of
student
drive to
study

Lack of financial
support from
family

Inadequate
knowledge of
content or
strategies

Causes or low-level problems

After analyzing the problem through its

causes, the EFFECT question is used
to bring out the different
consequences if the problem is left
unsolved.
Example: What are the effects of the
high drop-out rate?
(decreased enrolment, low
participation rate, diminished PTA
support for school, decreased
credibility of the principal)

Continuing the analysis, this

question involving one of the
primary effects may be asked:
What is the EFFECT of decreased
enrolment?
(transfer of teachers, lay off of
substitutes, reclassification of
the school to a lower category)

The effects are written in

individual rectangles which are
connected to the core problem
with arrows proceeding upward.
All effects are found above the
core problem in the problem tree
and they are classified as highlevel problems.

After the completion of the

problem analysis, it would be
noticed that the diagram looks
like a tree. The crown is made of
effects or high-level problems.
The trunk is the core problem.
And the root system is composed
of causes or low-level problems.

A study of the problem tree will

guide the principal in
determining the most probable
cause of the problem and the
likely effects it will bring. He
could now direct his energies at
attacking that cause in order to
solve the problem. If he is not
successful, he can move on to
other causes until the problem is
finally resolved.

Thank
you!