Click link to read the full version of process - they do work
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_01.htm
Appreciation
- Extracting Maximum Information From Facts
How to use tool:
Appreciation is a very simple but powerful technique for extracting the maximum amount of information from a simple fact.
Starting with a fact, ask the question 'So what?' - i.e. what are the implications of that fact? Keep on asking that question until you have drawn all possible inferences.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_02.htm
Drill Down
Breaking Problems Down
Into Manageable Parts
How to use tool:
Drill Down is a simple technique for breaking complex problems down into progressively smaller parts.
To use the technique, start by writing the problem down on the left-hand side of a large sheet of paper. Next, write down the points that make up the next level of detail on the problem a little to the right of this. These may be factors contributing to the problem, information relating to it, or questions raised by it. This process of breaking the problem down into its component part is called 'drilling down'.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_03.htm
Cause & Effect Diagrams
Identifying the Likely Causes of Problems
Also called Fish or Fishbone Diagrams,
and Ishikawa Diagrams
Cause and Effect analysis helps you to think through causes of a problem thoroughly. Their major benefit is that they push you to consider all possible causes of the problem, rather than just the ones that are most obvious.
The approach combines brainstorming with use of a type of Concept Map.
Cause and Effect Diagrams are also known as Fishbone Diagrams. The box and line can be thought of as the head and spine of the fish.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_04.htm
Systems Diagrams
Understanding How Factors Affect One-Another
Also known as Causal Loop Diagrams or CLDs
System diagrams are powerful tools that help you to understand how complex systems work. Systems analysed may be anything from businesses, through biological population models, to the impact of social policy, etc.
System diagrams are particularly helpful in showing you how a change in one factor may impact elsewhere. They are excellent tools for flushing out the long term impacts of a change. Importantly, a good system diagram will show how changing a factor may feed back to affect itself!
Drawing a system diagram is a good way of starting to build a computer model. The technique helps you to map out the structure of the system to be modeled. It shows the factors and relationships that are important, and helps you to start quantifying the linkages between factors.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm
SWOT Analysis
Discover new opportunities.
Manage and eliminate threats.
SWOT Analysis (also known as TOWS analysis) is a powerful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for looking at the Opportunities and Threats you face.
Used in a business context, it helps you carve a sustainable niche in your market. Used in a personal context, it helps you develop your career and yourself in a way that takes best advantage of your talents, abilities and opportunities. Click here for Business SWOT Analysis, here for Personal SWOT Analysis.
