MEANS-END ANALYSIS

Means-End Analysis is a problem-solving technique that identifies the

current state (kasalukuyang estado), defines the end goal, and
determines the action plan to reach the end state in a modular way. It is
also choosing an action at each step to move closer to the goal. End Goals are
split into sub-goals, and sub-sub goals, and then action plans are created to
achieve the sub-goals first, before moving on to the primary goal.

First, you need to evaluates the current state to establish whether there is a
problem. If a problem is identified, then it means that an action should be
taken to correct it.

The second step involves defining the target or desired goal that needs to be
achieved.

The target goal is split into sub-goals, that are further split into other smaller
goals.

This step involves establishing the actions or operations that will be carried
out to achieve the end state.
Means-End Analysis
To be clear and give you more insights, here is another meaning of Means- end
analysis:

Means-end analysis, or MEA, is a method of thinking about organizational

planning that can help you to reach your ultimate goals. Goals are split into
objectives, and each objective is further split into action steps. Breaking up goals
into actionable tasks helps management to reach the end state successfully.

How means-end analysis work?

Goals into Objectives
Definition: ano nga ba ulit ang definition ng goals and objectives?
A goal is an achievable outcome that is generally broad and longer-term while an
objective is shorter-term and defines measurable actions to achieve an overall goal.

One of the first things that need to be done with regard to a means-end analysis
is to shift the thinking from goals to smaller objectives. Same lang din to kanina
doon sa diagram na pinakita ko na yung target goal mo ay ishishift mo sa sub goals and
sub-sub goals.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Imagine that there is a company that sells tablet computers to the consumer
market. For the current year, they have a goal of bringing in a total of $10 million
in revenue. That is the goal that is at the top of their list, and everything that they
do during the year is oriented toward hitting that $10 million mark.

However, simply stating that the company wishes to bring in $10 million during the year
really doesn’t do anything to get closer to that goal. Syempre hindi naman kaagad-agad
na makukuha yung revenue na iyon during the year.
 Using means-end analysis, para mapabilis mong maabot yung goal na iyon, that goal
should be broken down into a number of smaller objectives that will contribute to
reaching the goal by year’s end. Some examples of objectives that could be outlined
would include a specific number of tablets that need to be sold, or an average price
per unit sold that needs to be hit in order to make that revenue goal become a
reality.

Objectives into Steps

The process of drilling down toward a more specific plan doesn’t stop when you
move from an overall goal into some small objectives. From there, those
objectives need to be boiled down into actionable steps that can be used by the
business to ultimately reach the original goal. There are many possible steps that
could be used in order to reach a sales goal, such as the following –

 Enacting a marketing plan that involves using social media to create a buzz around the product

 Running television and radio ads to create brand awareness and develop trust with the

consumer

 Work with school districts to supply tablets at a discounted cost to further enhance brand

awareness with young consumers (and their families)

 Develop new applications for the tablet that make it more attractive

 Design sales promotions that can be deployed at various stages throughout the year to boost

sales figures during slow times

These steps ay pwede pang madagdagan and wala namang limit doon sa mga
methods na pwede mong gamitin to promote your product and work toward an overall
sales goal. Means-end analysis requires you to think about how even the smallest of
steps have an impact on the overall goal that you have set for the business. Kung
magiging mas detailed yung mga steps na gagawin mo kapag gagamitin mo ang
means-end analysis, the more na magiging successful ka in the end.
A Fit for the Human Brain
Breaking up a large goal into smaller steps is a great way for the human brain to
think about a task, meaning more successful actions are likely to be taken along
the way. Sa example natin kanina, It would be easy for human employees to become
overwhelmed at the thought of trying to create $10 million in revenue, but it is much
easier for them to think about enacting a social media marketing campaign in the next
few weeks.

Overwhelming individuals or teams within your business is never going to lead

you on a path to success. Even if you feel like those people can handle what you
are throwing their way, they will almost always be more successful if you give
them smaller ‘chunks’ to deal with, which is exactly what happens when you use
MEA.

MEA’s strength is in breaking down a big goal like selling $10 million worth of tablets
into smaller steps that the people in the organization feel that they can achieve this
goal. Using means-end analysis is something that most people do in their day-to-day life
hindi lang sa business pero sa pang araw-araw din natin na buhay. Identify a goal,
whatever that goal may be, and then break it down until each step is concise and
actionable. As long as the steps are followed and the various individuals involved are all
on the same page, the overall goal should be reached successfully in the end.