The Procedure:
1. Define the problem:
Ask for suggestions as to what is the most important problem;
No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
Write all the suggested problems on the board;
Group together any problems that are similar or related; then
Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important ones at the top).
2. Generate the Goal:
Reverse the definition of the problem (it's solution);
The solution to the problem defined above is the goal;
Define the goal as the solution to the problem;
Write the goal on the board; then
Remind the group that the goal is the one that they selected.
3. Define the Objective:
Explain the difference between a goal and an objective -- (an objective is measurable, finite, and has a completion date).
Ask the group to suggest objectives;
Write all the suggested objectives on the board;
No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
Group together any objectives that are similar or related;
Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top); then
Remind the group that they generated the top objective(s).
4. Identify resources and constraints:
Ask the group to suggest resources and constraints;
Write all the suggested resources and constraints on the board;
No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
Group together any resources that are similar or related.
Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top).
Remind the group that they generated the list;
Group together any constraints that are similar or related.
Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top); then
Remind the group that they generated the list.
5. Identify a strategy:
Ask the group to suggest strategies;
Write all the suggested strategies on the board;
No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
Group together any strategies that are similar or related;
Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top);
Remind the group that they generated the list; then
Choose the strategy that remains at the top of the list.
6. Summarize on the board the group decisions:
the problem;
the goal;
the objectives;
the resources;
the constraints; and
the strategy.