Abstract

Problem analysis is used to determine the structure of a problem, root causes, performance gaps, possible solutions, and opportunities. Problem analysis involves different critical thinking processes, prescriptive activities, and discoveries. Such techniques provide a way to systematically investigate the various performance contexts and their constraints to affect desired outcomes. Therefore, problem analysis skills and existing frameworks are germane to instructional design. By engaging in problem analysis in our design decisions, we invite criticism, find faults, and discover ways to improve performance. Based on the literature in the fields of instructional design and training, we summarize how to identify problem types (Jonassen, 2000), think like an expert analyst to uncover root causes (Ertmer et al., 2008), ask smart questions (Harless, 1973), avoid pitfalls (Dick et al., 2009; IPDET, 2007), utilize rapid analysis techniques, and use a fault database to capture issues and their solutions for reference and reflection (Jonassen, 2004).

Keywords: problem analysis, root cause analysis, problem typology, instructional design, critical thinking