The document outlines the distinction between reproductive and productive thinking in problem-solving, emphasizing the need for different approaches depending on the consequences of failure. It introduces models for each type of thinking and highlights the importance of managing time and decisions effectively. Additionally, it discusses the role of creative thinking in driving innovative solutions versus incremental improvements.

1. Diagnosing Problems

3. Leader

8. Good Problem Solvers know
Types of Thinking they need
Breakthrough
Incremental
 How much time they have

9. 2 Types of Thinking Needed
Reproductive Thinking:
 Valuable when Consequences of
failure are high (Incremental).
Productive Thinking:
 Valuable when Consequences of
failure are low (Breakthrough)

10. Overarching Principles
Creative Thinking (Breakthrough)
is separate from
Critical Thinking (Incremental)

11. Productive Thinking
Creative Thinking:
 Generative
 Non – Judgmental
 Expansive

12. Reproductive Thinking
Critical Thinking:
 Analytical
 Judgmental
 Selective

13. LEAN THINKING IS REPRODUCTIVE
Lean Thinking
 Perceive a Problem
 Pick a Solution
 Do Something

14. LEAN THINKING IS REPRODUCTIVE
Kaizen has limits:
 Incremental improvements produce
learned thoughts
 Will achieve predictable results
 Viewed from sum of parts
(Breakdown Problem)

15. Reproductive Thinking Model
Initial Problem Perception
Clarify the Problem
 Locate the Point of Concern
Investigation of Root Cause
Countermeasures
Evaluate
Standardize

16. Reproductive Thinking Model
Initial Problem Perception
Clarify the Problem
 Locate the Point of Concern
Investigation of Root Cause
Countermeasures
Evaluate
Standardize

17. Reproductive Thinking Model
Initial Problem Perception
Clarify the Problem
 Locate the Point of Concern
Investigation of Root Cause
Countermeasures
Evaluate
Standardize

18. A3 LEAN THINKING
Team: Date: Countermeasures:
Title/Theme:
Background/Definition:
Implementation:
Current Conditions:
Target:
Determine Cause/Analysis: Follow-up:

19. Based
on Scientific
Experimentatio
n

20. Productive Thinking
Creative Thinking:
 Generative
 Non – Judgmental
 Expansive

21. You need Productive Thinking
Tenkaizen is needed:
 Means good revolution
 Rather than reproduce old, produces
new
 Coping with change and creating
change

22. Successful Productive Thinking
Requires you to stay in the Question:
 Okay with Ambiguous
 Okay with Uncertainty
 Okay with not Knowing

23. Productive Thinking Model
 What’s going on?
 What’s success
 What’s the question?
 Generate Answers
 Forge the Solution
 Align resources

24. Theory: What’s going on?
What's the • Listing
itch? • Clustering
What's the • Concern
impact? • Priority
What's the • Know
information? • Wonder
Who's • Were you & others stand
Involved? • Whose most important
What's the • It would be great
vision? • I wish, If only

25. Theory: What’s success?
Target • Influence, Importance,
Future Imagination
• What do you want it to do
• What to avoid
DRIVE • Resources & Limits
• Measurable Targets &
Nonnegotiable elements
Develop a success criteria

26. Theory: What’s the question?
• How might I
Phrase each
• How might we
problem as a
• Need the right ? to get
question right answer
• Advantages
AIM • Impediments
• Maybes
• Cull (Review, Separate)
C5 - • Cluster
Converging to • Combine
get Question • Clarify
• Choose

27. Theory: Generate Answers
List a long • How else might I
list of
answers • How else might we
Think from other
perspectives
• Cull (Review, Separate)
• Cluster
Use the C5 • Combine
method • Clarify
• Choose

28. Theory: Forge the Solution
Evaluate
Comparison
Refine
Use success • Evaluate each idea against
Criteria • + - not numbers
• Don't Fossilize
Problems • Revaluate criteria
• Positives & Objections
POWER up • What else
solution • Enhancements & Remedies

29. Theory: Align resources
• List Action Steps
• Identify missing steps
Put in order
• Identify People
• Assign steps to people
Identify and record outcomes
• Kanban board
Great Wall of Time
• Calendar
• Energy
• Funds
EFFECT
• Expertise
• Conditions

30. Productive Thinking Model
 What’s going on?
 What’s success
 What’s the question?
 Generate Answers
 Forge the Solution
 Align resources
“All models are wrong. Some are useful!” - George Box

31. What’s the
Death
of a Decision?

32. Poorly Managed Time….

33. Productive Thinking Model
 What’s going on?
 What’s success
 What’s the question?
 Generate Answers
 Forge the Solution
 Align resources
No matter where you are or how much time you have!

34. Productive Thinking Model
 What’s going on?
 What’s success
 What’s the question?
50%
 Generate Answers 30%
 Forge the Solution
 Align resources 20%

35. Reproductive Thinking Model
Initial Problem Perception
Clarify the Problem
 Locate the Point of Concern
Investigation of Root Cause
Countermeasures
Evaluate
Standardize

36. Reproductive Thinking Model
Initial Problem Perception
Clarify the Problem
 Locate the Point of Concern
Investigation of Root Cause 50%
Countermeasures
30%
Evaluate
Standardize 20%

37. Manage Time, Manage Decisions

38. References
Think Better by Tim Hurson
The A3 Workbook by Dan Matthews

39. Visit the Business901 Website
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