Ben Tregoe and Charles Kepner codified their findings into a set of processes in the late 1950s. These processes were further tested and refined, added to over the years, until we have the Situation Appraisal, Problem Analysis, Potential Problem (or Opportunity) Analysis and the Decision Analysis.
This approach became the international leader in developing critical thinking skills. Kepner-Tregoe is a global leader in improving business performance through proprietary organizational transformation and trouble shooting methodologies. This proven methodology has been used to maximize service performance at global organizations, such as NASA, IBM, Sun Microsystems and Siemens.
The Four Thinking paths are: Situation Appraisal, Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis and Potential Problem Analysis.
- Situation Appraisal: The definition of an incident and a concern. How to “List Threats and Opportunities“, “Separate and Clarify“, “Set Priority“, “Plan Next Steps“ and the role of questioning in “Situation Appraisal”.
- Problem Analysis: The Kepner-Tregoe definition of a problem. How to “Describe Problem“, “Identify Possible Causes”, “Evaluate Possible Causes“, “Confirm True Cause“, explain the role of questioning in “Problem Analysis”.
- Decision Analysis: The definition of a decision. How to “Clarify Purpose“, “Identify Alternatives“, “Evaluate Alternatives“, “Make Decision”. The role of questioning in “Decision Analysis”. How to effectively “Present Recommendations“ and “Assess Recommendations“.
- Potential Problem Analysis: The definition of an action and a plan. How to “Identify Potential Problems“, “Identify Likely Causes“, “Take Preventive Action“, “Plan Contingent Action and Set Triggers“. The role of questioning in “Potential Problem Analysis”.