Tsegaye Tegenu, PhD
2024-12-09
There are tools, steps, and lenses in understanding (diagnosis) and solving (intervention findings to) the problems facing the country. The first step in unpacking the challenges is called current situation analysis (“What is happening and why?”). The second step is using three level lenses to understand causes and find solutions (“What can we do about it? How do we respond”).
Current Situation Analysis
Current situation analysis represents a systematic diagnostic tool that allows stakeholders to assess the present conditions of a system or context. It starts by collecting and analyze data to understand the scope of a problem and its immediate effects.
Current situation analysis allows stakeholders to see the full context of an issue (economic, social, technological, political, environmental, governance, conflict, etc.). It helps to map out key trends, patterns, and factors driving the problem. It is also used to identify immediate, underlying, and systemic causes for informed decision-making. It prioritizes interventions based on real-time insights into what the system currently needs. Current situation analysis is done before attempting any solutions. It avoids “rushing to conclusions” or misdiagnosing the issue.
Problem-solving Process
The second step, the problem-solving process, refers to the structured approach to identifying, designing, and implementing interventions or solutions to address a specific problem. It uses three levels (immediate causes, underlying causes, and root causes) function as conceptual lenses to unpack the layers of complexity and suggest corresponding responses.
The immediate causes lens allows stakeholders to focus on short-term triggers or symptoms of the problem. The underlying causes lens zooms out from the immediate symptoms to focus on structural drivers—patterns, systemic inequities, and social determinants that lead to recurring problems. The root causes lens examines the systemic, structural, and long-term foundations of a problem.
Both are necessary for success
The current situation analysis and the three levels of problem-solving help decision-makers move from a reactive approach to a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach. Both are necessary for success. We have to balance understanding and problem-solving as two interconnected components of addressing challenges facing the country.
Skipping understanding leads to ineffective solutions, and stopping at understanding means no meaningful change occurs. When solutions are developed without fully understanding the problem (i.e., current situation analysis), they often fail to address the real issues. This happens because symptoms, not causes, are addressed. Resources are wasted on interventions that don’t address the true drivers of the problem. Solutions might inadvertently create new problems or worsen existing ones due to a lack of insight.
Conversely, if we only focus on understanding the problem but never take action to address it, the problem persists. Insight without intervention does nothing to alter the situation or improve conditions. A deep understanding with no tangible action can erode trust among stakeholders expecting change. Delays in action might worsen the problem or make it harder to resolve in the future.
Perspectives, Assumptions, Methods and Core Values
Current situation analysis and the problem-solving process depends on perspectives, assumptions, and core values of the researcher, policymaker or the stakeholder. Perspectives shape how you interpret and prioritize elements of a situation. Some use systemic perspective (examines interconnections within a system), other use stakeholder perspectives (such as private sector), others may use cultural perspective (such as ethnicity), and still others use temporal perspective (looks at immediate implications of current trends).
Assumptions guide the focus and scope of the analysis. Some assume about population growth, some assume about governance and institutions, others assume about radical changes. To analyze both the current situation and problem-solving levels, you can adopt different methods SWOT analysis, scenario analysis, systems thinking, trend analysis and/or multi-criteria analysis.
Values shape both the interpretation of the situation and the design of solutions. Common guiding values include equity (fairness), inclusiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability and/or resilience.
By integrating perspectives, clarifying assumptions, applying rigorous analysis methods, upholding core values, you can ensure that both current situation analysis and problem-solving efforts are comprehensive, context-sensitive, and solution-focused.
Here’s what you should ask
For a layperson, understanding and addressing challenges through current situation analysis and the three levels of problem-solving lenses might seem complex. However, it can be simplified by asking key questions to guide your thinking and actions. These questions focus on what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what can be done about it—at different levels of depth.
- Regarding Current Situation Analysis
- a) What is the problem or challenge I see around me?
- b) Who is affected by this problem?
- c) What are the immediate signs or symptoms of the problem?
- d) What is causing this problem in the short term?
- e) How is this problem connected to other issues?
- f) What do I know about the resources or efforts currently available to address this problem?
- Regarding Three Levels of Problem-Solving Lenses
- a) What is the most visible and urgent part of the problem?
- b) What quick actions could help alleviate these symptoms?
- c) What resources or skills are there that could help right away?
- d) What deeper problems are making this issue worse?
- e) What changes could help fix these structural issues over time?
- f) Who are the decision-makers or institutions that could address these problems?
- g) What long-term, systemic factors are behind this problem?
By consistently asking these questions, you can effectively contribute to understanding and solving the problems of the country at various levels. As a final reflection, apply the following questions to a specific problem or context:
- Am I looking at the problem from all perspectives?
- Am I involving the right people or stakeholders in understanding and solving the problem?
- Am I balancing short-term fixes with long-term solutions?
