Late return of feedback from lecturers was demoralizing students and causing frustration, poor NSS results, and some students considering dropping out. The causes included lecturers' busy schedules, the issue not being raised by course reps, academics not seeing it as a priority, and no monitoring of timescales. Potential solutions included setting targets for admin staff and course reps raising the issue to get academics more supported in meeting deadlines, informing students of any delays, and monitoring progress with university departments. This could lead to higher marks for students as they learn from feedback and improve motivation, retention, and NSS scores.

1. Problem Tree
Breaking down
problems

2. Problem
Consequences
Causes

3. Late return of Feedback
Demoralised students
Frustration
Poor NSS results
No progress in future
assignments
Think lecturers are
Ignoring them
Students consider
dropping out
Lecturers with busy
schedules
Issue not raised by Reps
Academics don’t think
it’s important
No one monitors timescale
Students/Staff not aware
of the policy
Work held up by Admin staff

4. Solution Tree
Solutions
Vision
Effects

5. Targets set for admin staff
Course Reps raise issue
Academics supported
To meet deadlines
Students informed
of delays
Targets monitored by
University departments
Marks get higher
Students can learn
from feedback
Better motivation
Seek new formats
for return of feedback
Easy-to-use
Feedback forms
NSS results improve
Fewer students
dropout
Students are
listened to
Feedback returned on time

6. Conclusions
• Breaking down problems allows you to see
potential solutions
• Once you have identified issues, causes and
consequences, you can lobby for change
• If you back up your arguments with FACTS and
DATA, you can win an argument and
implement change!