Analyzing Problems to Find the Root Cause

Strong analysis begins with good research. Our Clear Expression Through Critical Thought course helps learners gather credible information, question assumptions, and break complex issues into manageable parts. When you look for patterns and relationships, you uncover the true causes of workplace challenges instead of reacting to surface-level symptoms.

Tools for Deeper Understanding

Critical thinking becomes more effective when you use structured, visual tools that make your reasoning clear and easy to share:

  • Venn Diagrams compare ideas and highlight where they align or differ.

  • Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagrams map causes and effects to show how multiple factors contribute to one issue.

  • Argument Maps organize claims, evidence, and counterarguments so you can test the strength of your reasoning.

These tools make collaboration easier, clarify patterns, and help reduce bias when analyzing data.

Applying Analysis to Real Problems

Learners practice using these tools in real-world scenarios such as tackling affordable housing shortages or improving air quality. A Venn Diagram can help compare policy proposals, while a Fishbone Diagram reveals how various factors interact to worsen pollution. Each activity reinforces a structured approach before drawing conclusions.

From Information to Insight

Research and analysis are more than collecting facts—they are ways to understand the “why” behind a problem. When you identify the root cause, your solutions become more innovative, targeted, and sustainable. Structured thinking leads to insights that guide better decisions across any organization.

photo of Deborah Deichman

Deborah Deichman

Deborah Deichman is an instructor at Graduate School USA with over 30 years of service, teaching in Leadership and Management with a strong emphasis on supervisory skills. A management and communications specialist, she has developed and delivered training programs in the public sector since 1975 and has trained more than 20,000 participants in techniques that enhance management effectiveness, employee productivity, and organizational contribution.

She is known for her ability to quickly adapt to the unique needs of each organization and to establish rapid rapport with a diverse range of participants. As a result, Debby has conducted training in more than 300 federal government agencies, including USAID, the Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, and USDA Research Centers.

Ms. Deichman’s flexibility has also enabled her to transition seamlessly from face-to-face classroom instruction to virtual-led and self-paced online learning. Her versatility makes her a key contributor to several curriculum areas at Graduate School USA, including the Center for Leadership and Management, where she serves as an instructor for the Aspiring Leader, New Leader, Executive Leader, and Executive Potential Programs, in addition to serving as a reviewer for the Executive Potential Program. She has also trained foreign service nationals across the globe.

Debby is skilled in instructional design and redesigned GSUSA’s flagship course, Introduction to Supervision. Most recently, she designed five courses for the new Emerging Leader Certificate.

Ms. Deichman holds a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of William and Mary.

Debby is a two-time recipient of GSUSA’s highest honor, the Faculty Excellence Award, demonstrating the significant value she brings to both GSUSA and the agencies she serves. She also received the newly created Customer Feedback Award for 2023 and 2024 and served on the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Board.

More articles by Deborah Deichman