Issue Tree Generator

Overview

The Issue Tree Generator skill provides specialized capabilities for creating and validating issue trees used in structured problem solving. This skill enables hypothesis-driven analysis through proper decomposition of complex problems, MECE validation, hypothesis tracking, and synthesis of findings.

Capabilities

Issue Tree Creation

• Create issue trees from problem statements
• Decompose complex problems into sub-issues
• Generate multiple levels of decomposition
• Apply standard issue tree frameworks

MECE Structure Validation

• Validate MECE structure (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive)
• Identify overlapping branches
• Detect missing branches
• Score MECE compliance

Hypothesis Tree Generation

• Generate hypothesis trees from issue trees
• Convert issues into testable hypotheses
• Create null and alternative hypotheses
• Link hypotheses to data requirements

Hypothesis Testing Tracking

• Track hypothesis testing progress
• Record test results and evidence
• Update hypothesis status (proved/disproved/inconclusive)
• Calculate testing completion percentage

Evidence Linking

• Link evidence to hypotheses
• Document evidence sources
• Rate evidence strength
• Track evidence gaps

Synthesis Generation

• Generate synthesis from proved/disproved hypotheses
• Build argument chains from evidence
• Create recommendation frameworks
• Develop "so what" statements

Visual Tree Export

• Export to visual tree diagrams
• Generate Markdown tree structures
• Create hierarchical outlines
• Support multiple visualization formats

Usage

Create Issue Tree

Create an issue tree for this problem:
[Problem statement]

Decompose to at least 3 levels with MECE validation.

Validate MECE

Validate the MECE structure of this issue tree:
[Issue tree structure]

Identify overlaps and gaps.

Generate Hypotheses

Generate hypotheses from this issue tree:
[Issue tree structure]

Create testable hypotheses with data requirements.

Synthesize Findings

Synthesize findings from these hypothesis test results:
[Hypothesis results with evidence]

Build recommendations from proved hypotheses.

Process Integration

This skill integrates with the following business analysis processes:

• hypothesis-driven-analysis.js - Core hypothesis work
• consulting-engagement-planning.js - Problem structuring
• process-gap-analysis.js - Root cause decomposition
• business-case-development.js - Business problem analysis

Dependencies

• Tree data structures
• MECE validation algorithms
• Visualization libraries
• Synthesis templates

Issue Tree Reference

Issue Tree Structure

Problem Statement
├── Issue 1
│   ├── Sub-issue 1.1
│   │   ├── Sub-sub-issue 1.1.1
│   │   └── Sub-sub-issue 1.1.2
│   └── Sub-issue 1.2
├── Issue 2
│   ├── Sub-issue 2.1
│   └── Sub-issue 2.2
└── Issue 3
    ├── Sub-issue 3.1
    └── Sub-issue 3.2

Standard Decomposition Frameworks

#### Revenue Growth Tree

How to grow revenue?
├── Increase volume
│   ├── Acquire new customers
│   └── Increase purchase frequency
└── Increase price
    ├── Raise unit prices
    └── Improve mix to premium

#### Profitability Tree

How to improve profitability?
├── Increase revenue
│   ├── Volume
│   └── Price
└── Decrease costs
    ├── Fixed costs
    └── Variable costs

#### Market Entry Tree

Should we enter market X?
├── Is the market attractive?
│   ├── Size and growth
│   └── Competitive dynamics
├── Can we win?
│   ├── Our capabilities
│   └── Competitive advantage
└── Is it worth it?
    ├── Financial returns
    └── Strategic fit

Hypothesis Status Tracking

Evidence Strength Ratings

MECE Validation Checklist

• [ ] Each branch addresses a distinct aspect
• [ ] No overlap in definitions between branches
• [ ] All possibilities are covered
• [ ] Branches are at consistent level of detail
• [ ] Same logic applies at each level

Synthesis Framework

1. What we found: Key findings from analysis
2. So what: Implications of findings
3. Now what: Recommended actions