Chapter 4 Objective Finding,
Fact Finding, and Problem
Finding/Definition
 Objective finding
 SWOT analysis
 Fact finding
 Who, what, where, when, why, how?
 Dimensional analysis
 Problem finding
 Redefinition approaches
 Analytical methods
Prof. Tony Proctor
1
Make use of
current and
past
experience
Scan the
environment
for problems
Ascertain
people's
major
concerns
Scan
documents,
reports and
attend
meetings
Obtain
different
perspectives
on the
problem
through
redefinition
Prof. Tony Proctor
Identify
objectives
Undertake
SWOT
analysis
Establish
facts
relating to
the problem
Ask Who?
What?
Where?
When? and
Why?
questions
Define /
redefine the
problem
Compare
performance
with
desirtable
levels and
what others
are achieving
Use a variety
of
redefinitional
techniques:
e.g.
laddering,
boundary
examination,
gola
orientation, 5
W's and H's,
Progressive
abstarctions,
Why method,
etc.
Consider using
analytical
techniques such as:
decomposable
matrices,
dimensional
analysis, cause
and effect
diagrams, etc.
2
Identify
strengths,
Weaknesses,
Opportunities
and Threats
OBJECTIVE
FINDING
Construct
matrix and
enters
SWOT
Take
combinations
of Strengths,
Weaknesses
Opportunities
and Threats
to identify
objectives and
enter on the
matrix
Prof. Tony Proctor
3
FACT FINDING
 State the problem as ‘In What Ways



Might..(IWWM)
Record relevant Who? Why? What? When?
How?
Use Answers to create redefinitions
Select the best redefinitions
Prof. Tony Proctor
4
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
State the problem
Write down
different
descriptions of
the problem as
questions
Select areas most
relevant to the
problem for
further analysis
Prof. Tony Proctor
Answer listed
questions
Consider
implications of
answers given for
solving the
problem
5
PROBLEM FINDING
 Redefinition approaches

Prof. Tony Proctor





Laddering
Goal orientation
Boundary examination
Progressive abstractions
‘Why’ method
Analytical methods
 Decomposable matrices
 Cause and effect diagrams
6
LADDERING
State problem in
terms of How
to....
Prof. Tony Proctor
Use question
Why? to move up
the ladder and
How? to move
down the ladder.
Consider various
redefinitions for
their usefulness.
7
GOAL ORIENTATION
General outline of
the problem
What are the
needs, obstacles
and constrains
Redefine original
problem
Prof. Tony Proctor
8
BOUNDARY EXAMINATION
Wri te o ut p roble m
High ligh t key
words /phra ses
Id enti fy imp ortan t
conno tati ons
Sug gest new
de fini tion s
Prof. Tony Proctor
9
PROGRESSIVE ABSTRACTIONS
Identi fy the
es sential problem
Prof. Tony Proctor
Use to devel op
new problem
defini tion
Repeat process
until redefini tion is
inappr opriate to
needs of the
si tuation
10
WHY METHOD
Spe cify the
pro blem
Prof. Tony Proctor
As k why o ne
sh ould do
whatever th e
pro blem sta tes
Rede fine ans we r
gi ve n as new
pro blem
Repe at the
pro ces s un til the
red efin itio ns a re
no lon ger
ap propri ate
11
DECOMPOSABLE MATRICES
Use a pro blem
th at h as
su bsyste ms
Li st m ajor
su bsyste ms a nd
compo nents
Sel ect the hig hest
weig hted
in teractio ns for
fu rther anal ys is o r
id eati on
Prof. Tony Proctor
Cons truct ma trix
of sub system s
an d th eir
compo nents
Usin g a sca le
weig ht the
in teractio n
be tween the
su bsyste m
compo nents
12
CAUSE AND EFFECT DIAGRAM
Sta ff m orale is
lo w
Wo rk i s bo ring
Wo rk i s rep etitive
Prof. Tony Proctor
rep eat sale s are
fa llin g
Ab senteeis m is
hi gh
Orders are late in
de livery
Prod uctivity is low
13