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2/19/2007 1

Intelligence:

Getting the Problem orDecision Statement Right

Who shouldbe involved?

What is theproblem ordecision?

What do I

want toaccomplish?

Who shouldbe involved?

What is theproblem ordecision?

What do Iwant to

accomplish?

DisturbanceProblems

Entrepreneurial

Problems

Posing the right

problem ordecision driveseverything else!

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2/19/2007 9The case of the struggling west coast port 2/19/2007 10

Initial Problem Statement:

How can we get the union torelax some of its moreobstructive rules, in exchangefor increased wages andbenefits.

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New Problem Statement:

How much can we afford to paythe union in a one-timesettlement to have all the workrules dropped?

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To be sure you get the rightproblem statement . . .

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Use out-of-the-box thinkingDefine the Problem

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MindGrip write downthree 2-wordstatementsthatdescribe it

select thewords thatbestrepresentthe preciseproblem

write new,optimal &effectivestatement ofthe problem

Then refine &

improve theinitial problemdefinition

Problem

DiagnosisStep by StepProcess

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1. Ask whattriggered it

2. Question

constraints

3. Identify essentialelements

4. Understanddependencies

5. Establishworkable scope

6. Gain insight

from others

7. Reexamine asyou go

8. Maintainperspective

Refine and Improve It Identify Boundaries

How to design a headsetto replace the phone?

BoundaryExamination

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Write down an

initialstatement ofthe problem

Underline keywords

Examine eachkey word forhiddenassumptions

Redefine theproblem in abetter way

Elaboration MetaphoricalThinking

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Problem Reversal

Ask Questions

Mind Focus

Why?

Why?Why?

Why?Why?

Mind Stretch

Mind Stretch

Why is it necessary?

Mind Stretch

Where should it be done?

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Mind Stretch

Who should do it?

Mind Stretch

When should it be done?

Mind Stretch

What should be done?

Mind Stretch

How should it be done?

Substitute

Rearrangeor

Reverse

EliminatePut toOtherUses

Modifyor

Magnify

Adapt

Combine

SCAMPERing

Problem/Decision

Substitute

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Magnify orModify

Combine Adapt

Magnify orModify

Put to other uses

Eliminate

Rearrange or Reverse

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Make sure your problemstatement is . . .

Not too

narrowlydefined

Not overly

broad

Does not include potential alternatives

Framed as anopen endedquestion . . .

not as a yes /no question.

Think abouthow you will

frame yourproblem

statement foryour personal

decisionproject