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Task 1: Write a problem statement |
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Eye-of-the-Beholder Viewpoints |
Define problems/opportunities from others viewpoints. |
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Problem (Opportunity) Statement |
Describe the exact nature of the problem. |
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Problem vs. Opportunity vs. Issue |
Are you dealing with a problem or is it an issue or opportunity. |
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Task 2: Validate this is the right problem to work on |
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Reframe the Problem or Opportunity |
Reframe the problem to get new perspectives. |
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Systems Think Problems/Opportunities |
Look at the broader picture in which the problem resides. |
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System Hierarchy |
Help identify the “system" in which the problem resides. |
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Task 3: Write a goal statement |
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Purpose Goals Analysis |
Expand thinking to produce more all-encompassing ideas/solutions. |
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Goal Statement Development |
Goal setting provides the roadmap for success. |
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Task 4: Assemble the right people to solve the problem |
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Assemble a Balanced Team |
Get the right mix of people with complementary skills. |
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Establish a High Performance Team Environment |
Get your team in the “groove”. |
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Establish Communication Process |
Proper communication helps ensure team success. |
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Dialogue Process |
Get your team to communicate correctly |
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Impacts of Biases on Teamwork |
How personal biases influence teamwork & thinking. |
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Task 5: Define and understand the problem |
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Basic Background Information |
Understand key facts and knowledge. |
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Transient (Change) Description |
Describes how the current problem came into existence. |
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Mind Mapping Brainstorming |
Develop relationships using geometric interrelationships. |
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Data Relevancy Analysis |
Collect the right data - too much can lead to ‘analysis paralysis. |
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Input-Process-Output |
Systematically collect process flow, activity and measurement data. |
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Interaction & Relationship Worksheet |
Look at people’s interactions and relationships. |
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Task 6: Analyze obstacles and root causes |
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Obstacle (Gap) Analysis |
Problem solving a series of actions that change or remove obstacles that prevent a solution. |
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Cause and Effect Diagram |
Fishbone diagram arranges possible cause into groups. |
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Why/Because Causal Chain |
Find the optimal point where a solution can be applied. |
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Deviation Analysis |
Describes the deviation from a previous state or condition |
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Task 7: Prepare for creative thinking Needs Change |
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Idea Requirement |
It is difficult to develop good ideas if you do not know the end requirements. |
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Incubation |
Give your subconscious mind time to work and develop powerful ideas. |
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Creative Focus Statement |
Stretch creativity into areas that might not have been tapped before. |
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Task 8: Brainstorm lots of ideas |
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Assumption Reversal |
Reversing your assumptions helps develop broader systems ideas. |
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SCAMPER |
Basic Creativity Questions |
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STOP (Situation-Target-Obstacle-Proposal) |
Brainstorm ideas to remove obstacles. |
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Wishful Thinking |
Consider the impossible, to know the outer limits of what IS possible. |
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Task 9: Synthesize ideas and turn them into practical solution alternatives |
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Affinity Diagram |
It is a method of capturing tacit knowledge about a particular issue and organizing large numbers of data into manageable groupings of information. |
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Practical Solutions Pros & Cons |
This tool helps with the difficult task of transforming ideas into practical and workable solutions that can be implemented. |
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Task 10: Develop evaluation criterion and pick the right decision making strategy |
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Decision Making Criterion |
Choose the evaluation criterion that meets your needs. |
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Decision Making Tools & Strategies |
Select the right decision making method and tools. |
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Task 11: Decide and validate the best solution to implement |
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Idea Evaluation |
Rank each idea with a numerical score and compare scores of all ideas. |
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Force Field and Change Analysis |
Decide based on driving and restraining forces. |
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Pros and Cons Analysis |
Adds a high level of logical decision making which aids implementation. |
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Intuitive Coin Flip |
Start utilizing your intuition to help make better decisions. |
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Validate the Correctness of the Decision |
Does the decision create more damage than it solves |
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Task 12: Design and Test the Solution Deliverables |
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Design the Solution Deliverables |
This minimizes re-work because the user can make changes upfront. |
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Test the Solution Deliverables |
Test the design to uncover any fatal flaws that would prevent successful implementation. |
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Implementation Go No/Go Decision |
Are you really ready to implement. |
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Task 13: Develop the Implementation Plans |
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Five How’s |
Ask “how” until a sufficient list of implementation tasks has been developed. |
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Milestone Chart |
Without milestone projects may end up somewhere else other than the goal |
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Action Plan |
Documents the work activities, sequence, schedule and responsibilities for implementation. |
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Task 14: Implement the Plan |
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Contingency Plan & Corrective Action |
Prepare for unexpected implementation roadblocks. |
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Conversion Plan |
Puts the solution into the real world by replacing the current situation. |
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Status Reporting |
Status reporting is a vital performance factor for all work efforts. |
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Task 15: Develop a feedback mechanism to prevent problem recurrence |
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Systems Feedback |
Feedback is a process that promotes adapting to on-going change. |