Identify and analyse the problems you are looking at to find the root cause

There are a few handy techniques to help you do this. Mind mapping is a visual technique used to organise information around a central word or phrase, e.g. the problem that you’re trying to tackle. It centres around generating a diagram to help you understand the links between different issues. Another simple technique is called the “five whys”. It is simply the process of asking “why” enough times that you eventually get to the root cause of the problem. Fishbone analysis is another visual technique for exploring a central problem or concept. It also uses diagrams known as Ishikawa Diagrams.