How can we

understand
the problem?

Method # 1: The 5 Whys.

Method # 2: Fishbone analysis.
Method # 3: Tree analysis.
Method # 4: 5 Ws and 1 H.
Method # 5: 3 step problem analysis.
Method # 6: Problem formulation method.

Method # 1
The 5 Whys

Step # 1

Describe what the problem is.

Step # 2

Ask why several times to better

understand the reasons for the problem.

Keep asking why until you get to the real

reason for the problem.

Some sources of inspiration

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/The-Five-Whys-Technique.pdf
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5590974/how_to_run_an_ideas_jam.html?cat=3
http://www.associatedcontent.com/audio/17188/how_to_use_lateral_thinking_for_personal.html?cat=55
http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/912792/problem_analysis_techniques.html?cat=55
http://blogs.hbr.org/video/2012/02/the-5-whys.html
http://www.bulsuk.com/2009/03/5-why-finding-root-causes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Whys
http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/05/some_years_ago.shtml
http://lssacademy.com/2010/01/10/introducing-the-5-why-%E2%80%9Cso-what%E2%80%9D-test/
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_5W.htm
http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/how-to-formulate-a-creative-problem-statement/
http://youtu.be/JmrAkHafwHI

Method # 2
Fishbone analysis

Persons interrupt
each other

Very little of what is

Reasons for the problem
communicated is concrete
Further reasons

Person A talks
constantly

Bad
communication

None of the persons

ask questions

I language is
not used

The problem

Some sources of inspiration

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishikawa_diagram
http://www.mycoted.com/Fishbone_Diagram

Method # 3
Tree analysis

http://hbr.org/2014/01/a-taxonomy-of-innovation/ar/1

http://www.imagebase.net/Nature/tree

3. Branches =
Effects of
problem

2. Root =
Reason for
problem

1. The problem

Method # 4
5 Ws and 1 H

#1
What?

#2
Why?

#3
When?

5 Ws and 1 H
#6
How?

#5
Who?

#4
Where?

Example

How can we improve communication?

What does it mean to communicate well?

What does it mean to communicate badly?
Why is a person a good communicator?
Why is a person not a good communicator?
When is a person a good communicator?
When is a person not a good communicator?
Where is a person a good communicator?
Where is a person not a good communicator?
Who is good at communicating?
Who is not good at communicating?
How does a person become a good communicator?
How does a person become a bad communicator?

Some sources of inspiration

http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/912792/problem_analysis_techniques.html?cat=55
http://www.bqf.org.uk/innovation/2010/04/16/six-serving-men-problem-analysis-technique/
http://www.mycoted.com/Five_Ws_and_H

Method # 5
3 step problem analysis

Find a discussion partner and ask that person to

discuss his or her most pressing work problem with
you for about 5 minutes.
Ask these 5 questions
1. Whats the problem?
2. What are the root causes?
3. Who is to blame?
4. What have you tried that hasnt worked?
5. Why havent you been able to fix the problem yet?
http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Leading_in_the_21st_century/Lead_at_your_best

Round # 2
Discuss again for 5 minutes using these 4 questions
1. What would you like to see - and make - happen?
2. Can you recall a time when the solution was present, at
least partly? What made that possible?
3. What are the smallest steps you could take that would
make the biggest difference?
4. What are you learning in this conversation so far?
http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Leading_in_the_21st_century/Lead_at_your_best

Round # 3
Debrief your partner about his or her thoughts and
feelings during the 1st versus the 2nd discussion.
Then talk about these 3 questions for 5 minutes
1. What did you notice?
2. What were his or her underlying mind-sets?
3. What were yours?
http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Leading_in_the_21st_century/Lead_at_your_best

Method # 6
Problem formulation method

To formulate a problem, use the phrase

In

what ways might I?

http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/how-to-formulate-a-creative-problem-statement/

Thank you for your interest. For further inspiration

and personalized services, please feel welcome to
visit http://frankcalberg.com/

Have a great day.