Tools
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Proven strategy and problem-solving methods as working worksheets. Each one shows the model, tells you when to use it and when not to, saves your work as you type, calculates what can be calculated, and ends in a 30/60/90-day action plan. AI can draft the parts you have not filled in. Free when you sign in.
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root cause5 Why AnalysisIdentifies the root cause of a problem by repeatedly asking 'why' until the fundamental issue is uncovered.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvement5S SystemOrganizes a workspace to improve efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating waste and optimizing processes.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root cause8 Disciplines (8D) Problem SolvingProvides a structured approach to identify, analyze, and eliminate root causes of problems in a systematic way, ensuring effective solutions and preventing recurrence.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeA3 Problem SolvingProvides a structured approach to identify, analyze, and solve problems using a single A3-sized sheet to summarize the process and findings.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementActivity System MappingVisualizes how activities within a business interact to create competitive advantage, helping to identify strengths and weaknesses in processes.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingAffinity DiagramsOrganizes ideas and data into groups based on their natural relationships, helping teams visualize connections and prioritize themes.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationAnalogies and MetaphorsUses comparisons to clarify complex ideas, stimulate creative thinking, and generate new insights by relating familiar concepts to unfamiliar problems.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionAnalytics TrailHelps teams trace the steps of data analysis to ensure clarity, accountability, and thoroughness in problem-solving processes.Data · PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionAssumption BustingIdentifies and challenges the assumptions underlying a problem to uncover new insights and solutions.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationAttribute ListingHelps generate ideas by breaking down a problem or product into its attributes, allowing for creative exploration of each attribute to find new solutions or improvements.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementBottleneck AnalysisIdentifies the most significant constraints in a process that limit overall performance, allowing targeted improvements.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationBrainstormingGenerates a wide range of ideas and solutions in a group setting, encouraging free thinking and collaboration without immediate criticism, and ends with a shortlist and an action plan.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationBrainwritingGenerates a large number of ideas in a short time by allowing participants to write down their thoughts anonymously, which can then be built upon by others.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionBusiness AnalyticsTurns business data into evidence that supports a specific decision, by framing the question, analysing the data, testing explanations and agreeing actions.DataFull worksheet and action plan
- Daily tools & aidsProblem solving · Problem definitionBusiness Case DevelopmentCreates a structured argument to justify a project or investment, outlining its benefits, costs, and risks.Finance · Risk & governance
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementBusiness Process Owner CharterDefines the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of a Business Process Owner to ensure effective process management and improvement.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementBusiness Process Reengineering (BPR)Redesigns business processes to achieve significant improvements in critical measures of performance such as cost, quality, service, and speed.Process · DataFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeCause MappingIdentifies the root causes of a problem by visually mapping out the relationships between causes and effects, ensuring that the focus remains on the underlying issues rather than symptoms.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationCharretteFacilitates collaborative idea generation and problem solving by gathering stakeholders to discuss and refine ideas in a structured format.Process · StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingConcept MappingVisualizes relationships between concepts to clarify thinking and generate new ideas, helping teams understand complex problems and identify solutions.Process · StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationCrazy EightsHelps a team generate many different ideas in a few minutes by having each person sketch eight ideas in eight minutes, then choose a shortlist to take forward.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationCreative PauseFacilitates a break in the usual thinking process to stimulate new ideas and perspectives, enhancing creativity and problem-solving.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionCritical ThinkingEnables structured analysis of a problem so that you separate evidence from assumption, weigh real alternatives, and reach a decision you can defend.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveCrowdsourcingGathers ideas, solutions, or contributions from a large group of people, often through an open call, to solve a problem or generate new ideas.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveCustomer Journey MappingVisualizes the steps a customer takes when interacting with a product or service, helping identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.Customer & growthFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementCycle Time AnalysisIdentifies the total time taken to complete a process from start to finish, helping to pinpoint inefficiencies and areas for improvement.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationDaydreamingFacilitates creative thinking by allowing individuals to explore ideas freely without constraints, leading to innovative solutions and concepts.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveDesign ThinkingFacilitates innovative problem-solving by focusing on understanding user needs and iterating solutions through prototyping and testing.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveEmpathy MappingHelps teams understand their customers by visualizing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading to better product and service design.People · Customer & growthFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeFailure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)Identifies potential failure modes in a process and assesses their impact, allowing teams to prioritize risks and implement corrective actions.People · ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeFault Tree Analysis (FTA)Identifies the root causes of a specific failure or problem by mapping out the pathways of events that lead to that failure.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Survey formsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveFocus Group DiscussionsFacilitates in-depth discussions among a diverse group of participants to gather insights, opinions, and perspectives on a specific topic or issue.Data
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationForced ConnectionsGenerates new ideas by deliberately linking the problem to unrelated objects or concepts, so a stuck team can break its usual patterns and then decide which ideas to test.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveFuture MappingHelps teams envision and articulate potential future scenarios based on current trends and uncertainties, fostering innovative thinking and strategic planning.Strategy · People
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationGamificationUses game design elements to enhance engagement and motivation in non-game contexts, helping teams solve problems creatively.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionGap AnalysisIdentifies the difference between the current state and desired future state of a process, product, or organization, helping to pinpoint areas for improvement.People · ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementGemba WalkFacilitates direct observation of work processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement by engaging with employees at the actual location where work is done.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementHeijunka (Production Leveling)Balances production by leveling the type and quantity of production over a specific period to reduce waste and improve efficiency.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionHeuristic AnalysisIdentifies potential causes of a problem by using rules of thumb and experience-based techniques, facilitating deeper understanding and innovative solutions.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationIdea BoxGenerates a wide range of ideas for solving a specific problem or exploring opportunities, encouraging creative thinking and collaboration among team members.People
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeIshikawa (Fishbone) DiagramIdentifies potential causes of a problem by categorizing them into a visual diagram, helping teams to pinpoint root causes systematically.Process · PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveJournalingHelps a manager or team reflect on a situation by writing down thoughts, feelings and experiences, spotting recurring themes, and turning them into a decision and actions.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementKaizenFacilitates continuous improvement by identifying and eliminating waste in processes through incremental changes.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementKanbanVisualizes work in progress to improve efficiency and flow in processes, helping teams manage tasks and prioritize effectively.People · ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationLateral ThinkingEncourages unconventional approaches to problem-solving by challenging assumptions and exploring alternative perspectives.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementLean ManufacturingImproves efficiency by eliminating waste and optimizing processes, leading to reduced costs and increased value for customers.Process · Finance · ManufacturingFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementLean Process Redesign CanvasHelps teams visualize and analyze their current processes to identify inefficiencies and redesign them for improved performance.Process · People
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationLotus Blossom TechniqueGenerates and organizes ideas by expanding on a central theme through a structured approach, allowing for deeper exploration of related concepts.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionMental ModelsHelps teams simplify complex problems by using established frameworks or concepts that shape their understanding and decision-making.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingMind MappingOrganizes thoughts and ideas visually, allowing teams to explore connections and generate new insights collaboratively.People · DataFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationMind SprintsGenerates a large number of ideas in a short time through timed, structured group brainstorming, then screens them so the team can decide which few to develop.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingMood BoardsFacilitates visual brainstorming and idea generation by compiling images, colors, and text that represent the desired mood or concept for a project.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationMorphological AnalysisHelps teams explore all possible solutions to a complex problem by breaking it down into its components and analyzing the combinations of these components.People · TechnologyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causePareto Analysis (80/20 Rule)Identifies the most significant factors in a dataset, allowing teams to focus on the areas that will yield the greatest improvement.Process · People
- Daily tools & aidsProblem solving · Process improvementPDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)Helps a team decide whether a process change worked and what to do next, by running one controlled loop of planning, doing, checking results against a target, and acting on the findings.People · ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationPicture AssociationGenerates ideas and solutions by associating images with concepts, encouraging creative thinking and breaking mental blocks.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementPoka-Yoke (Error-Proofing)Poka-Yoke is a method used to prevent errors in manufacturing and service processes by designing systems that make it impossible or easy to detect mistakes.Process · Technology · ManufacturingFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionProblem Definition FrameworkClarifies the nature of a problem so that the right issues are addressed, and sets out the outcome, limits and first actions needed to guide an effective solution.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationProblem ReversalGenerates new ideas by flipping the problem on its head, then turning each reversed idea back into a real action and ranking the results, so a team can choose which fresh ideas to pursue.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementProcess Capability Index (Cp and Cpk)Measures how well a process can produce output within specified limits, indicating the capability of the process to meet customer specifications.People · Process · ManufacturingFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementProcess Mapping (As-Is and To-Be)Visualizes current and future states of a process to identify improvements and streamline operations.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementProcess Maturity AssessmentEvaluates the current maturity level of a process to identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding improvement efforts effectively.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementQueue and Wait-Time AnalysisAnalyzes the time customers spend waiting in queues to identify bottlenecks and improve service efficiency.Process · Customer & growth
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationRandom Word AssociationGenerates new ideas by forcing connections between an unrelated word and a business problem, so a team can break out of its usual thinking and choose ideas worth testing.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionReframingHelps teams view a problem from different perspectives to uncover new solutions and insights.People · Data
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationReverse BrainstormingGenerates innovative solutions by first identifying potential problems or obstacles, then brainstorming ways to create those problems, leading to insights on how to avoid them.DataFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveRole PlayingHelps teams explore different perspectives by acting out a realistic scenario, so they understand how each stakeholder sees the issue and decide what to change.Strategy · PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveRole ReversalHelps a team step into each other's roles to see a stuck problem from the other side, so they can find misunderstandings and agree concrete actions to fix them.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationRole StormingGenerates creative ideas by having participants assume different roles, encouraging diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.Strategy
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeRoot Cause Corrective Action (RCCA)Identifies the underlying causes of problems and implements corrective actions to prevent recurrence, ensuring long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeRoot Cause DiagramIdentifies the underlying causes of a problem by visually mapping out potential factors and their relationships.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingRough PrototypingCreates quick, low-fidelity representations of ideas to explore concepts and gather feedback early in the design process.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: idea generationSCAMPERHelps teams generate creative ideas by prompting them to think about a product or problem in different ways.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Root causeSeven Basic Quality ToolsProvides a set of fundamental tools to identify, analyze, and solve quality-related problems in processes and products.ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementSeven Wastes (TIMWOOD)Identifies and categorizes seven types of waste in processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.Process · FinanceFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveShadowingEnables teams to gain insights by observing users in their natural environment, fostering empathy and understanding of their needs and behaviors, and turns those observations into a decision and actions.People · DataFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingSimulationsSimulations let a team test a decision on a simplified model of the business before committing money or effort. They show which option is likely to deliver the target result and how sure the team can be of that.PeopleFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementSIPOC DiagramProvides a high-level overview of a process by identifying its Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers, helping teams understand the scope and context of their work.Process · People
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Creative: empathy and perspectiveSix Thinking HatsFacilitates group discussions by assigning different perspectives to participants, enabling a comprehensive exploration of ideas and solutions.Strategy
- Survey formsProblem solving · Creative: visual and prototypingSketchnotingTransforms ideas and concepts into visual notes, enhancing understanding and retention through imagery and structure.StrategyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementSpaghetti DiagramVisualizes the flow of materials or information in a process to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementStandard WorkDefines the safest, highest-quality way to perform a repeatable task at the pace customers need, so the team can follow one agreed sequence and spot deviations quickly.People · ProcessFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementTaguchi MethodsImproves quality by identifying and minimizing variation in processes through robust design and experimentation.Process
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementTakt Time AnalysisCalculates the maximum allowable time to produce a product to meet customer demand, ensuring production aligns with demand.Process · Customer & growth
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Process improvementTheory of Constraints (TOC)Identifies the most significant limiting factor (constraint) in a process and systematically improves it to enhance overall performance.Process · TechnologyFull worksheet and action plan
- Transformation toolkitsProblem solving · Problem definitionValue RealizationHelps identify, measure, and ensure the delivery of value from investments or initiatives, ensuring that expected benefits are realized effectively.Data · FinanceFull worksheet and action plan