Relevance trees look very much like standard organizational charts. They help us
understand different layers of complexity and granularity to a challenge. When to use it? Relevance trees can help us to analyze challenges in which there are clear
levels of complexity, and in which the lower levels show more granular
distinctions. It can also help identify problems and solutions, the ‘optimum’
solution, and articulate the requirements of particular policies, technologies,
etc. How to do it? Identify a high level topic for analysis.
In succeeding levels of the tree, list out components of the topic with
greater degrees of detail.
At each level, show how entries are connected to an item in the preceding
level.
Ideally, entries at a particular level should not overlap with each other.
Analyze items at the same level from the same point of view for consistency.
Requirements
People: 2-5 Time: 30 minutes Pros and Cons
Pros: - Can help study the complexities of a challenge or a goal
- May be able to show new and insightful connections
Cons: - Requires critical judgments of connections that, if wrong, can weaken the results
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