Step-by-Step: Running a Premortem Analysis
Run premortem: Imagine project failed spectacularly, everyone brainstorms why it failed, share scenarios, identify common patterns, create mitigation plans.
January 2026
Step-by-Step: Mapping a Complex System
Map complex systems: Identify key components, draw connections showing flows and dependencies, mark causal links, find feedback loops, test predictions.
Step-by-Step: Facilitating a Retrospective
Set stage for learning, gather data on what happened, generate insights through discussion, decide actions, close with commitments and appreciation.
Step-by-Step: Evaluating Information Quality
Assess accuracy by verifying facts and cross-checking claims. Check source credibility and expertise. Identify potential biases in presentation.
Step-by-Step: Designing Effective Metrics
Keep simple with three to five key metrics. Make actionable so measurement drives improvement. Align with goals avoiding distortion.
Step-by-Step: Designing a Feedback System
Measure current state. Define desired state. Create comparator showing gap between them. Design response actions closing gaps.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Decision Framework
List criteria for good decisions. Weight importance of each factor. Score options against criteria. Document rationale for future reference.
Step-by-Step: Building a Mental Model
Identify key components. Map relationships showing how parts connect. Test predictions against reality. Refine based on failures.
Step-by-Step: Analyzing Incentive Structures
Map what's rewarded with bonuses and recognition. Identify what's punished with penalties and criticism. Compare stated versus actual incentives.
October 2025
Step-by-Step: Conducting a Root Cause Analysis
Learn how to systematically identify underlying causes of problems using techniques like Five Whys, fishbone diagrams, and causal mapping.