The hidden value of issue trees in consulting
What's an issue tree, and why are they so popular in the consulting industry?
At its core, an issue tree is just a structured way of breaking down complex problems.
For example, if your client is facing declining profits, an issue tree might help you understand what's going on.
You might start by breaking down the problem into different potential causes, such as a decrease in sales or an increase in costs. Then from there, you can break each cause down even further until you reach the source of the issue.
But what makes issue trees so powerful?
One reason is that they can supercharge your ability to brainstorm.
If I asked you for ways your client could grow revenue, you could probably come up with a few good ideas just off the top of your head. But if instead you started thinking by category - say revenue from existing customers and then revenue from new customers, you'd be able to think of a lot more.
Another reason is that they help you to be comprehensive.
Most issue trees rely on the MECE framework, or Mutually Exclusive Collectively Exhaustive.
Which basically means as you're breaking down the problem, you make sure the components don't overlap, and that they fully capture all possibilities. By doing it this way you can systematically work your way through each option, and make sure nothing gets overlooked.
And one final reason is that they're great for structured communication. By using an issue tree, you can visually demonstrate the various parts of the problem and how they're connected, making it easy for anyone else (like a client or coworker) to follow your thinking process.
So, the next time you're faced with a complex problem, try making an issue tree. Or better yet, get AI to do it for you.
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