Write a problem analysis for your thesis

When do you write a problem analysis?

You need to write a problem analysis for both a higher professional thesis and a university thesis. The only difference lies in the approach. For instance, in a higher professional education course, you focus on addressing a practical question, whereas in a university thesis, you usually investigate a theoretical issue. Regardless of the type of thesis, the problem analysis serves the purpose of providing definition. In the case of an HBO thesis, it is crucial to conduct an analysis of the problem itself as well as its potential causes. On the other hand, for a university thesis, you need to examine existing literature on the specific subject and identify the research gap that has not yet been explored.

Why is the problem analysis such an important part of your thesis?

The problem analysis (also referred to as problem orientation or problem exploration) serves as the foundation of your thesis. It involves providing the reader with background information regarding the problem you intend to investigate.

In the problem analysis of your thesis, you aim to identify the obstacles that hinder your client from achieving their goals. You examine potential causes for the problem, such as increased competition and changes in legislation that render your client’s service less relevant to the target audience. The issue lies in the reduced demand for this service, leading to a decline in market share. You strive to comprehend the problem from different perspectives. It is crucial to distinguish between primary and secondary issues and establish the relevant connections among various causes in relation to the problem. At this stage, it is important to refrain from considering possible solutions.

A thorough problem analysis yields a well-defined problem definition and objective, forming the basis for your research questions or design question. Therefore, allocating sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive problem analysis helps mitigate issues that may arise later on due to investigating a broad framework.

Where do you place the problem analysis in your thesis?

The placement of the problem analysis may vary depending on the course. In some courses, it is described in the introduction. In other courses, it constitutes a separate chapter and is sometimes referred to as problem orientation, problem exploration, or context analysis. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly check where you should include the problem analysis. You can verify this with your thesis supervisor or refer to the graduation syllabus or manual for guidance.

How do you write a good problem analysis?

Before you describe the problem analysis, go through the following steps:

• Choose your topic.
• Describe the reason.
• See which literature is relevant to your topic.
• Describe the relevance.

This is followed by the problem analysis, which ends with your main and sub-questions and your objective.

Below we briefly describe all the steps.

Step 1: Choose your topic

Every thesis and research project begins with the process of selecting a topic. Sometimes, your client may provide you with a specific topic. In other cases, you may be assigned a subject related to your training. This typically occurs when writing a thesis at university, where the datasets are often readily available. Additionally, there are instances where you have the freedom to choose your own topic. However, it’s important to note that the chosen topic is often initially broad and undefined. The subsequent steps will involve narrowing down and framing the scope of your research.

Step 2: Describe the reason

Why did you choose this topic? For instance, a recent news article may have influenced your decision to select a particular topic. By specifying your reason, you are further defining the subject. Afterwards, it would be beneficial to delve into the relevant literature to provide additional contextual information.

Step 3: See which literature is relevant to your topic

Then, you will examine the literature related to your topic. You will read books and articles to discover what is currently known about your subject. When writing a master’s thesis, it is common to explore the literature to identify areas that have not been sufficiently addressed yet; you aim to fill in the gaps. This process helps you define your research topic. In the case of an HBO thesis, you will determine which models and literature to utilize for your study. Conducting a literature review and developing the theoretical framework typically come after conducting a problem analysis.

Step 4: Describe the relevance

Whether you are writing an HBO thesis or a master’s thesis, it is essential to address the significance of your research during the problem analysis. This involves discussing both the social/practical relevance and scientific relevance. The social/practical relevance stems from the motivation behind your research, while the scientific relevance is established through conducting an in-depth review of existing literature. Your research holds social relevance if it contributes to the broader understanding of your topic, and practical relevance if it offers valuable insights for your audience. Additionally, if your investigation aims to fill gaps in the current body of knowledge, it is considered to have scientific relevance as it contributes novel findings to your field.

What do you then include in your problem analysis of your thesis?

Your problem analysis consists of the following parts:

• Background information
• Reason and context
• Defining your issue
• Relevance
• Problem and goal

If you are writing a HBO thesis for a client, it is important to include background information about the organization where you are graduating from. This will help introduce your topic and provide a reason for your research. Furthermore, you should describe the context in which the problem analysis will take place. This involves identifying the potential causes of the problem and conducting exploratory conversations with the client and other individuals within the organization to gather additional information. It is also recommended to request any existing research and internal data related to your topic that can be used in your analysis.

Which models can you use in your problem analysis?

You don’t necessarily need models for your problem analysis. Some models are only useful when you need to gather information from your client. Below, we will describe the models that you can utilize to obtain essential information. This will help you further define your topic and reasoning.

• The 5wh2 method
• Ishikawa's fishbone diagram
• Ferrel's 6W model
• ABCD analysis
• McKinsey's 7S model

Please note: It doesn’t matter which model you choose; always ask questions carefully to truly understand the underlying causes of the problem. If a client indicates that their product isn’t selling, it could be because the product doesn’t meet the needs of the end user. However, this explanation is still too general. The root of the issue could be that the client is unaware of the target audience’s needs or that the product is outdated and better alternatives now exist.

The 5WH2 method

Using the 5W2H method, you can identify the root causes of a problem. This method comprises five questions that begin with the letter W and two with the letter H. The questions are: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How, and How much.

Ishikawa’s fishbone diagram

The Ishikawa diagram helps to analyze and solve problems. This model is frequently utilized in organizational improvement processes. In its detailed form, the diagram resembles the skeleton of a fish, which is why it is also referred to as a fishbone diagram. By visually representing possible causes and solutions, the Ishikawa diagram provides a quick overview. Consequently, this makes it a practical and applicable tool for conducting problem analysis in your thesis.

The 6W model from Ferrel

Ferrel’s 6W model is often used to analyze the problem from the viewpoint of the potential buyer (customer). By immersing oneself in the customer’s perspective, one is able to gain a different understanding of the problem.

ABCD analysis

The ABCD analysis provides insight into the external environment of the organization you are graduating from or conducting your research on. This external environment is also referred to as the meso-environment. The analysis comprises the following components:

• Customer analysis: This allows you to identify the company’s potential customers.
• Industry analysis: This provides insight into the industry or sector in which the organization operates.
• Competitor analysis: This provides insight into the behavior of competitors.
• Distribution analysis: Describes the way in which the organization distributes products or services to the customers.

McKinsey’s 7S model

You can utilize the McKinsey 7S model to analyze the internal organization. The model differentiates between hard and soft elements:

• Strategy
• Structure
• Systems
• Shared values
• Skills
• Style
• Personnel

If all seven elements are in balance, you have a well-functioning organization. However, this is usually not the case, and immediate weaknesses can be recognized that hinder the organization from achieving its goals. Using the 7S model, you can identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as the underlying causes of the problems.

Is a problem statement the same as a problem analysis?

You need to conduct a thorough analysis of the problem in order to arrive at a well-defined problem statement. These two concepts are not the same. The problem statement should provide a brief explanation of the problem and highlight its relevance to your study and your client. A well-defined problem statement places the problem in its appropriate context and serves to define the focus of your research. It also establishes the significance of your research and provides guidance on its objectives. Moreover, the problem statement should indicate what specific knowledge is missing within the organization in order to address the problem. It should also outline the knowledge that your research aims to contribute, which is currently lacking in the organization where you are conducting your study. Essentially, the problem statement serves as a summary or conclusion of your problem analysis.

Do you find drawing up your problem analysis difficult?

In general, your course supervisor is not allowed to provide advice; their role is to monitor the progress. Sometimes, clients do not provide enough information to identify the underlying problem. Hence, it can be beneficial to consult an expert in your field to establish a clearly defined topic. We frequently encounter students who have made significant progress in their research and thesis only to discover that it is inadequate and requires revisions. This is unfortunate because making repairs afterward usually consumes much more time. Properly analyzing your problem ensures a precise problem definition and the formulation of appropriate research questions. By including these in your research proposal or action plan, you can avoid getting stuck. Moreover, with just a few hours of assistance, you can often get started quickly.

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