Aristotelian Problem Symptom Reduction Technique Identify the real problems MAY 15, 2019
Business Solutions Specialist Technical Analyst Business Analyst Business Architect eliciting information root cause analysis problem definition business needs identification requirements decomposition process mapping large, complex, cross organization initiatives Jennifer Abbott waterfall and agile project methods VSP Vision Care Business Architect
Today’s Session OBJECTIVES ▪ Understand business need vs. business problem ▪ Ability to identify problems from symptoms and solutions using the Aristotelian Problem Symptom Reduction Technique 3 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Business Analysis “There are heroisms all round us waiting to be done.” ― Sherlock Holmes 4 Aristotelian Problem Technique
The Definition Business Analysis ○ Performed by a person ○ Supported by a practice ○ Grounded in reality ○ Aligned to the future ○ Strategic, tactical, operational 5 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Session Focus Root cause that prevents the NEED from being met 6 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Needs vs. Problems “presume nothing” ― Sherlock Holmes 7 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Business Goals and Objectives • The ends that the organization is seeking to achieve. ➔ Goals - long term and often qualitative Business Need ➔ Objectives - more granular and objectively measurable Business Opportunity 1 • There must be an opportunity for improvement so that a solution can be proposed, the need that must be addressed. The undesired current state. Desired Outcome All of these elements wrapped together define • Specifically “not a solution,” an outcome identifies the benefits the business need. resulting from meeting the business need. -BABOK- Aristotelian Problem Technique 8
Business Need Examples Identify and define why a change to an organizational system or capabilities is required Non-profit org Machine shop Sales org -BABOK- Need to provide daily clean Need new lubricant for my Need increased sales drinking water for family machines that keep because they have been needs where rain water is breaking down so I can down 3 years in a row not effectively captured, remain competitive stored, and distributed 9 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Root Cause Analysis Root cause analysis (RCA) is a problem-solving method which is used to pinpoint the exact cause of a problem or event. The root cause is the actual cause of a specific problem or set of problems, and when that cause is removed, it prevents the final undesirable effect from occurring. Future State Current State “Problem Domain” “Solution Domain” ○ Deals with the real problems – not symptoms ○ Don't jump into creating solutions ○ Problems describe the condition that prevents ○ Understand, specify and prioritize problems first a need from being met ○ To generate viable solutions, you must have a solid understanding of what's causing the problem ○ Problems are focused on facts 10 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Solve Problems not Symptoms “It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognize, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which vital. Otherwise your energy and attention must be dissipated instead of being concentrated.” ― Sherlock Holmes 11 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Solving problems is detective work “We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind, which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations.” - Sherlock Holmes Aristotelian Problem Technique 12
Aristotelian Problem/ Symptom Reduction 4 step process 1. Create a number list of potential problem statements as a sentence, gathered from stakeholders. 2. For each item on the list, can anyone involved in the effort do anything about it? If not, consider it “out of scope”. “If I were given one hour to save the planet, 3. For each item on the reduced list, can anyone identify multiple I would spend 59 minutes defining the (different) solutions? If you can only tin of 1 solution, then the problem and 1 minute resolving it." item is likely a requirement. Rewrite as a requirement. 4. For each remaining item on the list, assuming it could be solved, would any other item “go away”? If yes, those are symptoms. - Albert Einstein (compare 1 to 2, then 1 to 3…if one if fixed will 2 go away?) Anything left that not a requirement and not symptom is then considered the “real” problem . 13 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Make a list 1. Create a number list of potential problem statements as a sentence. Gather input from stakeholders. 5 8 2 1 7 4 3 9 6 14 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Out of Scope 2. For each item on the list, can anyone involved in the effort do anything about it? If not, consider it “ out of scope ”. 5 8 2 1 7 4 3 9 6 15 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Requirement 3. For each item on the reduced list, can anyone identify multiple (different) solutions? If you can only think of 1 solution, then the item is likely a requirement. Rewrite as a requirement. 5 8 2 1 7 4 3 9 6 16 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Symptoms 4. For each remaining item on the list, assuming it could be solved, would any other item “go away”? If yes, those are symptoms. (compare 1 to 2, then 1 to 3…if one if fixed will 2 go away?) 5 8 2 1 7 4 3 9 6 17 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Problems Anything left that not a requirement and not symptom is then considered the “real” problem. 5 8 2 1 7 4 3 9 6 “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” ― Sherlock Holmes 18 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Re-Write the Problem Statement Write all the problems as complete sentences with as much detail necessary. Group them with observable systems from the exercise. Water Lubricant Sales • • • Traditional water containers are too big No one builds machines that can be My company hasn’t introduced a new and difficult to carry in rural rugged used the way I need them to be used product to the marketplace in three terrain years Non-profit org Machine shop Sales org Need new lubricant for my Need increased sales Need to provide daily clean machines that keep because they have been drinking water for family breaking down so I can down 3 years in a row needs where rain water is remain completive not effectively captured, stored, and distributed 19 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Use Case "You know my methods. Apply them." ― Sherlock Holmes 20 Aristotelian Problem Technique
EXAMPLE Use Case - Eisenhower Tunnel BACKGROUND High in the mountains of Colorado, a difficult pass has been eliminated by constructing a tunnel under the continental divide, the Eisenhower Tunnel. At almost two miles long, the engineering team identified a risk of disaster in the tunnel if the backup lighted Silverthorne Town Council failed so signs were placed in the from of the tunnel which read “Tunnel Ahead – Turn on Lights”. The tunnel opened and all was good. ○ Need to reduce the number of cars stopping EXCEPT.... in town that end up with dead batteries so our People would often stop in the town of Silverthorne after passing businesses and police can through the tunnel, and after dining or other activities, they would focus on supporting the return to their cal and find dead batteries. Garages, police and services and safety in the everyone was spending restarting cars. Jumper cables were in town show supply and so were patience. The town council lamented “Something must be done!”. 21 Aristotelian Problem Technique
EXAMPLE Use Case - Eisenhower Tunnel 4 step process • Town • Council • • business Travelers Police 1. Create a number list of potential Members problem statements as a sentence, owners gathered from stakeholders. 2. For each item on the list, can anyone # Problem Statements OOS Req Sym involved in the effort do anything about it? If not, consider it “out of scope”. 1 There are not enough jumper cables 3. For each item on the reduced list, can 2 Car batteries die anyone identify multiple (different) 3 People cannot see in the dark solutions? If you can only tin of 1 solution, then the item is likely a 4 People forget to turn off their lights requirement. Rewrite as a requirement. 5 There is no sign to tell drivers to turn off their lights 4. For each remaining item on the list, 6 The police are wasting their time helping travelers get their car started assuming it could be solved, would any other item “go away”? If yes, those are 7 All cars don’t turn off their lights automatically symptoms. (compare 1 to 2, then 1 to 8 The tunnel is dark even in the daylight 3…if one if fixed will 2 go away?) 9 Travelers are upset when their car won’t start and they have to wait Anything left that not a requirement 10 Loss of business due to full parking lots and not symptom is then considered the “real” problem . 22 Aristotelian Problem Technique
Use Case ideas What needs can you think of for us to use as a use case? 23 Aristotelian Problem Technique
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