Management Analyst how-to

How to Structure a Problem with an Issue Tree

Issue trees break problems into parts.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Issue trees break problems into parts. In short: state; split; keep, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. State the key question.

  2. Split into main drivers.

  3. Keep branches MECE.

  4. Break drivers down further.

  5. Form hypotheses.

  6. Gather data to test.

Safety reminders for management analysts

  • Protect client confidentiality
  • Avoid conflicts of interest
  • Follow site safety rules
  • Protect data

Engagement · Scope · Current state · Future state · Process map · Root cause analysis: see the full management analyst glossary.

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