The Parthood Lens
Every problem is a part of something else. This includes its context, its environment, as well as other problems!
Instead of just adding endless contextual data, the Parthood Lens brings it all info focus by considering the roles the problem plays in larger systems. These ecological relationships often explain things about the problem that can be explained in no other way and offer solutions nobody would ever expect.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE PARTHOOD LENS
1. What problems are frequently mentioned in the same breath as your problem? How do you feel about the association? Would you prefer that more people think that way or less? Why?
2. What are some other problems that are of major concern to some of the main actors in your problem? Do they view those as connected to your problem or not? What might be the consequences of changing that?
3. Other ways to investigate parthood include looking at shared resources or settings. Where are some other places where your problem overlaps with others?