The Problematique (FR: La problématique) is a structural model, a graphical device for enhancing human under- standing and facilitating the development of action plans for correcting undesirable situations. It is comprised of brief statements representing problems and a pattern of interaction among them. The relationship portrayed is typically one of aggravation (GR: επιδείνωση) rather than causality since modern societal issues are not readily reduced to simple cause and effect relationships. While the problematique is only one of several key graphics types found beneficial in studying problematic situations, it is the most prominent.
Source
Warfield, J.N., & Perino, G.H. (1999). The Problematique: Evolution of an Idea. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 16(3), 221-226.