Purpose
The method helps clarify workflows, data, causes, and improvements concretely. It looks for patterns, causes, weaknesses, or bottlenecks and derives actions. The result is captured as Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Risk Plan.
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Clarifies workflows, data, causes, and improvements by framing the situation, analyzing the problem with is/is not, and planning risks and actions.
Which cause, decision, or risk measure can be derived through disciplined separation of facts, hypotheses, and decision criteria?
HighWorkshop + async2-8 h
How it works
The team follows the steps: frame the situation, analyze the problem with is/is not, test possible causes, apply decision criteria, and plan risks and actions. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Risk Plan are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Frame the situation
- 2Analyze the problem with is/is not
- 3Test possible causes
- 4Apply decision criteria
- 5Plan risks and actions
The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 6 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Incident Analysis
- Operational Decisions
- Complex Troubleshooting
Not good for
- Free Ideation
- Problems without available facts
Deep dive
In detail
Kepner-Tregoe follows a clear working logic: frame the situation, analyze the problem with is/is not, test possible causes, apply decision criteria, and plan risks and actions. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. Participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. The result is Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Risk Plan that make decisions, learning, or further planning actionable.
Facilitation
Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 2-8 h with 2-8 people and use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation needs noticeable structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.
Output artifacts
Problem AnalysisDecision AnalysisRisk Plan
Artifact templates
Kepner-Tregoe Working TemplateCompact working template for Kepner-Tregoe with situation analysis, problem analysis, decision analysis, and risk planning.markdown
Kepner-Tregoe Working TemplateCompact working template for Kepner-Tregoe with situation analysis, problem analysis, decision analysis, and risk planning.
markdownkepner-tregoe-working-template.md
Compact working template for Kepner-Tregoe with situation analysis, problem analysis, decision analysis, and risk planning.
Kepner-Tregoe Working Template
Goal
Structure situation, problem, decision, and risk analysis in one working view.
Context
Which workflow, issue, or decision should the group examine?
Input
- Situation statement:
- Data and facts:
- Constraints:
- Stakeholders:
Working area
- Situation analysis:
- Is / is not analysis:
- Decision criteria:
- Risk analysis:
- Possible actions:
Output artifacts
- Problem analysis:
- Decision analysis:
- Risk plan:
Open questions
- ...
Decision / next step
Owner, date, and success signal.
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
A3 Problem Solving
Statt Kepner-Tregoe, wenn Problem, Ursache, Gegenmaßnahme und Lernen kompakt auf einer Seite geführt werden sollen.
Similar methods
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Root Cause Analysis
Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by describing the problem precisely, collecting data and events, and deriving countermeasures and controls.
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Clarifies workflows, data, causes, and improvements by defining scope and process, collecting failure modes, and assigning actions and owners.
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Root Cause Tree Analysis
Clarifies workflows, data, causes, and improvements by framing the problem precisely, branching possible causes, and defining countermeasures.
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Scatter Diagram
Paired data points reveal whether two variables move together and where a suspected relationship needs deeper proof.
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A3 Problem Solving
Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by defining the problem, capturing the current state, and defining follow-up actions.
Statt Kepner-Tregoe, wenn Problem, Ursache, Gegenmaßnahme und Lernen kompakt auf einer Seite geführt werden sollen.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by defining the problem, choosing cause categories, and prioritizing likely causes.