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Method session2-8 hWorkshop or asyncProblem Analysis

Session: Kepner-Tregoe

The plan translates the method into a concrete facilitated work block. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Method session with 2-8. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward Problem Analysis. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Section 1: Situation Appraisal

    20-30 min

    List problems, decisions, and potential problems. For each entry, assess urgency, impact, and growth rate. Prioritize top themes for subsequent KT processes. Hint: If the list has more than 10 entries, split across two sessions. KT works on focus, not volume.

    FacilitatorProblem Analysis
  2. 2

    Section 2: Problem Analysis (is / is not)

    45-90 min

    For each problem, define the four-field specification: what is affected, what is not, when, where, and how much. Infer likely causes from differences and test each spec. Hint: The "is-not" column is the diagnostic lever. If it stays empty, data understanding is missing and PA becomes speculation.

    FacilitatorDecision Analysis
  3. 3

    Section 3: Decision Analysis

    30-60 min

    Formulate the decision statement. List must criteria and weighted want criteria. Filter options against musts and score against wants. Discuss risks for top options. Hint: More than seven wants dilutes evaluation. Keep top three to five. Use 1-10 weighting, not binary scoring.

    FacilitatorRisk Plan
  4. 4

    Section 4: Potential Problem Analysis

    30-60 min

    List possible problems for each selected option, then assess likelihood and impact. Define preventive and contingency actions, including trigger and owner for top risks. Hint: Triggers must be measurable. "If there are problems" is not a trigger; "if error rate exceeds 2% for 5 min" is one.

    FacilitatorProblem Analysis
  5. 5

    Section 5: Followups

    15-20 min

    Assign owner, date, and review date for each outcome. Convert open tests from PA into spikes. Archive decision and rationale in a decision log. Hint: Spikes need dates, otherwise diagnostic gaps are lost and KT becomes window dressing.

    OwnerDecision Analysis
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerProblem Analysis
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: Kepner-Tregoe

Goal

Artifact: Problem Analysis

Working Question

Which cause, decision, or risk measure can be derived through disciplined separation of facts, hypotheses, and decision criteria?

Context

Problem definition, time period, observed symptoms; known workarounds; available data and sources; escalation level and stakeholders.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 2-8 h
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: A facilitator with KT experience leading all four processes; two to eight participants with domain and data knowledge; one scribe for logging hypotheses and tests.
  • Owner: A facilitator with KT experience leading all four processes
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Problem Analysis. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Template covering four KT processes (Situation Appraisal, Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Potential Problem Analysis); tables for in vs not-in comparison and decision criteria; access to logs, metrics, documentation.

Preparation

Share template up front. Start with Situation Appraisal and decide which KT process is primary (PA, DA, PPA). Set phones aside and pause parallel threads.

Agenda

  1. Section 1: Situation Appraisal (20-30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: List problems, decisions, and potential problems. For each entry, assess urgency, impact, and growth rate. Prioritize top themes for subsequent KT processes. Hint: If the list has more than 10 entries, split across two sessions. KT works on focus, not volume. Output: Problem Analysis

  2. Section 2: Problem Analysis (is / is not) (45-90 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: For each problem, define the four-field specification: what is affected, what is not, when, where, and how much. Infer likely causes from differences and test each spec. Hint: The "is-not" column is the diagnostic lever. If it stays empty, data understanding is missing and PA becomes speculation. Output: Decision Analysis

  3. Section 3: Decision Analysis (30-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Formulate the decision statement. List must criteria and weighted want criteria. Filter options against musts and score against wants. Discuss risks for top options. Hint: More than seven wants dilutes evaluation. Keep top three to five. Use 1-10 weighting, not binary scoring. Output: Risk Plan

  4. Section 4: Potential Problem Analysis (30-60 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: List possible problems for each selected option, then assess likelihood and impact. Define preventive and contingency actions, including trigger and owner for top risks. Hint: Triggers must be measurable. "If there are problems" is not a trigger; "if error rate exceeds 2% for 5 min" is one. Output: Problem Analysis

  5. Section 5: Followups (15-20 min) Owner: Owner Action: Assign owner, date, and review date for each outcome. Convert open tests from PA into spikes. Archive decision and rationale in a decision log. Hint: Spikes need dates, otherwise diagnostic gaps are lost and KT becomes window dressing. Output: Decision Analysis

  6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Problem Analysis

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Problem Analysis
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

Problem Analysis: Kepner-Tregoe

Working Question

Which cause, decision, or risk measure can be derived through disciplined separation of facts, hypotheses, and decision criteria?

Context

Problem definition, time period, observed symptoms; known workarounds; available data and sources; escalation level and stakeholders.

Participants

  • Owner: A facilitator with KT experience leading all four processes
  • Participants: A facilitator with KT experience leading all four processes; two to eight participants with domain and data knowledge; one scribe for logging hypotheses and tests.

Input

Template covering four KT processes (Situation Appraisal, Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Potential Problem Analysis); tables for in vs not-in comparison and decision criteria; access to logs, metrics, documentation.

Template

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.

Completion Check

  • Problem Analysis is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

Kepner-Tregoe Working Template

View templateCompact working template for Kepner-Tregoe with situation analysis, problem analysis, decision analysis, and risk planning.
markdown

kepner-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.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Problem Analysis.
  • One entry per incident or decision with date and decider in the header. Later insights are added as an update section rather than overwriting. Update status to `revised` when a decision changes.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet