Causal Flow Diagramming

Causal flow diagramming does for a problem-solving analyst what disassembling a wristwatch does for a watch repairman. The repairman lays out on his workbench all of the watch’s components so he can (1) understand the internal mechanisms and how each piece interacts with the others, (2) determine what is causing the watch to malfunction, and (3) identify ways to repair it.

A causal flow diagram likewise establishes a visual framework—a structure—within which to analyze a cause-and-effect system.

This diagram:

• Identifies the major factors—the engines—that drive the system, how they interact, and whether these interactions are direct or inverse relationships or form feedback loops.
• Shows proposed causal relationships together, including links that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Helps identify possible sources of the problem.
• Supports comparison of corrective measures and their likely effects.

Causal flow diagrams can be particularly helpful in bringing to light how different analysts working on the same problem view it. If each analyst constructs a diagram representing the causal flow system and submits it to the others for study and comparison, the ensuing discussion will quickly and clearly reveal how and where their perceptions differ and what their underlying assumptions are. This knowledge will greatly enhance understanding of the problem and of possible solutions.

Causal flow diagramming is, of course, a form of modeling and can be as simplistic or complex as the analyst desires. I prefer to make such diagrams only as complicated as needed to understand the major forces at work. Going beyond that, albeit interesting and even entertaining, can be counterproductive, making the analyst aware of intricate causal relationships that, while perhaps accurate (but perhaps not), add only complexity and ambiguity to the overall picture.

Keep in mind that the principal purpose of diagramming is to establish a basic structure for analyzing the major driving factors, not to replicate in precise detail every dynamic of the problem situation. What we are seeking is insights into possible solutions. Once we acquire those insights, the diagram has served its purpose and may be set aside.

If, on the other hand, you have need of a diagram that portrays in detail the inner workings of the problem situation, indicating how the system as a whole reacts to changes in one factor or in a combination of factors, I recommend you look to literature and training courses in the field of operations research.