1. Change Control Diagram
I want to implement a project
by managing how changes to the
project plan are made
Change Control Diagram

2. What is it and why should I use it?
A change control process can help to structure the change process.
The Cause-effect arrows are used to connect the levels of the problem tree. The problem tree portrayed in this image identifies the contributors/causes and negative results/effects of deteriorating river water quality in the Delta River Project. Problem trees could become very large and complex if you attempt to list all problems. Remember that we are simply trying to capture a photograph of the ‘current state’ as a step toward identifying the desired interventions that will bring about an improved ‘future state’.

3. Discussion:
How do you make sure that any changes to a project are authorized appropriately and at the right level?
Who needs to be involved in change processes?
Do the same people need to involved for every type of change?
There are several reasons why problem analysis is especially important in the context of development projects, it helps identify: key problems, constraints & opportunities; and the cause & effect relationships. The problem tree is one of the most widely used tools by international developmental organizations to conduct problem analysis. It provides a simple, yet robust version of reality which helps key stakeholders identify not just the core problem, but their effects – as well as the underlying issues and root causes that contribute to the current state. Begin with a ‘starter problem’ that can be either identified via an open brainstorm process with stakeholders or pre-identified, based on preliminary analysis of existing information. Once the starter problem is identified, (preferably all problem tree steps should be done via a participatory group process) then problems which are directly causing the starter problem are put below (called causes) and problems which are direct effects of the starter problem are put above (called effects). Note that if two or more causes combine to form an effect, place them on the same level of the diagram. As you can observe on the slide, sometimes a cause will have a sub-cause – creating a chain of causality. The branches of the tree may also show more than a single layer of effects.   The guiding question behind the logic of the problem tree is ‘What causes that?’ This is a form of logic called: cause and effect, that reads like this: “if this happens …. then that will happen”.

4. Activity: Look at the change control diagram.
Would this work for your projects?
How would you adapt it?
There are several reasons why problem analysis is especially important in the context of development projects, it helps identify: key problems, constraints & opportunities; and the cause & effect relationships. The problem tree is one of the most widely used tools by international developmental organizations to conduct problem analysis. It provides a simple, yet robust version of reality which helps key stakeholders identify not just the core problem, but their effects – as well as the underlying issues and root causes that contribute to the current state. Begin with a ‘starter problem’ that can be either identified via an open brainstorm process with stakeholders or pre-identified, based on preliminary analysis of existing information. Once the starter problem is identified, (preferably all problem tree steps should be done via a participatory group process) then problems which are directly causing the starter problem are put below (called causes) and problems which are direct effects of the starter problem are put above (called effects). Note that if two or more causes combine to form an effect, place them on the same level of the diagram. As you can observe on the slide, sometimes a cause will have a sub-cause – creating a chain of causality. The branches of the tree may also show more than a single layer of effects.   The guiding question behind the logic of the problem tree is ‘What causes that?’ This is a form of logic called: cause and effect, that reads like this: “if this happens …. then that will happen”.