Problem Definition
This is the first step in Bulletproof Problem-Solving
What is Define the Problem?
These concepts ensure your analysis and recommendations have no overlaps and no gaps. (name and acronym)
What are Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive (MECE)?
This specific cognitive shortcut describes our tendency to search for and believe evidence that proves the truth of our existing beliefs while ignoring data that might prove us wrong.
What is confirmation bias?
This creative activity is used to generate as many ideas as possible before judging them
What is brainstorming?
A company comes to you after noticing their sales have declined 15% in the last two years, this is the first step you should take
What is define the problem?
This acronym is used to represent the key characteristics of a well-defined problem. (Acronym and words)
What is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Relevant, Time-Bound)?
This document serves as a 'roadmap' for an investigation, specifically listing the key questions to be answered, the data sources required, and the specific team members assigned to each task.
What is a Research Plan?
Great decision-makers use this skill to understand others’ perspectives and reduce their own bias.
What is empathy?
This phase of Design Thinking is used to gather feedback on a solution from stakeholders
What is Test (& Implement)?
Your team has a problem statement about declining customer engagement. Before assigning research tasks, you do this to break the statement into smaller, researchable categories
What is disaggregate?
This five-letter acronym represents the essential building blocks of a problem context and factors of a situation (acronym + words)
TOSCA (Trouble, Owner, Success Criteria, Contraints, Actors)
This technique is used to compare performance against industry standards or competitors to identify areas for improvement.
What is Benchmarking?
When teams suppress disagreement to maintain harmony, this dangerous group dynamic occurs
What is groupthink?
Teams use this step to quickly test and refine ideas before full implementation, gathering feedback from real users
What is prototyping?
Your ice cream sales are down month over month. To solve this, you want to evaluate the idea of 'Introducing a dairy-free line will capture the vegan market'.
You build this this structure of supporting arguments and data to prove it.
What is a Hypothesis Pyramid?
This type of problem statement is used to frame a challenge as an opportunity.
What is a How Might We statement?
This technique assesses the difference between current and desired states to guide solution development.
What is Gap Analysis?
This is a visual structure used to disaggregate problems into manageable chunks, keep track of parts for analysis, and build insights toward solutions.
What is a logic tree?
This three-letter acronym identifies a linear argument pattern that sequences context, hurdles, and a final recommendation.(acronym and words)
What is SCR (Situation, Complication, Resolution)?
After a stakeholder meeting your team creates this to identify the parties involved and their connections
What is a stakeholder map?
If a sentence merely describes a situation without framing it as a decision or challenge requiring action, it is classified as this, rather than a problem statement.
What is a fact?
This technique digs into root causes by repeatedly asking “why".
What is the 5 Whys?
This is statement explaining why specific data/facts are important to address (in class we called them "so what" statements).
What is an insight?
To make a recommendation credible, teams must show that it is desirable, viable, and this
What is feasible?
During a client brainstorming session, your team feels stuck after listing obvious ideas. To spark creativity, you do this to intentionally combine unrelated concepts from other industries. Like using airline loyalty programs to inspire a coffee shop membership plan.
What is MashUp or Forced Connections?